Ornamentals.

THE PRINCES OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM IN OUR FLORI DA GARDENS.

By H. Nehrling.

I. Cabbage Palmetto on one side and ite congener, the lowly Saw Palmetto, on Palms! The very word creates vi the other. Both reveal a very strong sions of beauty and magnificence in and unmistakable family likeness* But our minds. Groups of palms! Ave how very different are both! nues of palms! Forests of palms along Systematic botanists tell us that in our streams and borderingour clear their external structure, as well as in water lakes! Thickets of palms in our their internal organization, palms ap flat woods! Groves of Cocoanut Palms proach nearest the grasses—plants on the East Coast! Royal Palms on which have been termed by Linnaeus, the borders of the Everglades! Florida the "plebejans" of the order. Super is the land of palms. They are in ficially viewed, this appears a rather separably connected with this land of distant relationship. In making com flowers, clear water lakes, invigorating parisons, however, we must not select breezes and bright sunshine. The the Cabbage Palmetto and the Bermu word "palm" stands for all that is noble da grass for examples, but, replacing and grand in the plant world. Linnaeus the latter by the giant bamboo, we im called them the "princes of the plant- mediately see the truth of the above world." And, indeed, they are a royal statement. And, indeed, palms and family, glorying in isolation, proudly bamboos are the greatest attractions waving' their graceful foliage in the of our Florida gardens. Grown side breezes of a tropical landscape. Not by side, they create unique tropical all the members of the tribe, however, effects, charming pictures of beauty show this nobility and grandeur. As and poetrynot obtainable by other in every-day life, they have—like plants. many noble families—low connections The chief feature of the palms con and poor relations. It is only neces sists in the cylindrical trunk, crowned sary to allude to our proud and elegant by a mass of either plume-like or fan-

10 146 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. shaped leaves. Our native palmettos able. These are the Ratang Palms, belong to the last group, while the which supply the rattan from which Date Palm, the Royal Palm and the the seats, etc., of our cane chairs are Cocoanut Palm have pinnate or plume- made. Naturally very prickly, these like leaves. The different species vary- stems, by means of reflexed hooks, in height from a few feet to a hundred with which the ribs of the leaves are and more. Some are stemless, but the provided, climb high up into the lof great majority have slender tall trunks. tiest forest trees. All the species of In some species the diameter of the the genus Calamus of the Old World stem, which does not vary very much and of the genus Desmoncus of tropi in its whole length, is thick and mas cal America are climbing palms. The sive, in others, slender and, polished, stems of these "vary in size from the while some of the smaller species have thickness of a quill to that'of a wrist, trunks not thicker than a walking and where abundant they render the stick or a pen holder. Most of the forest almost impassable. They lie palms have a single stem, not produc about the ground coiled and twisted ing any side shoots at all; others send and looped in the most fantastic man up quite a number of stems from one ner. They hang in frestoons from root-stock. The trunks are sometimes trees and branches, they rise suddenly smooth or ringed, but more frequently through mid air up to the top of the they are covered with the old bases of forest, or coil loosely over shrubs and the fallen leaves and sometimes they thickets like endless serpents. They are armed with formidable spines. In must attain an immense age, and ap some cases the leaves fall to the ground parently have an unlimited power of as they decay, "leaving a clean scar, in growth, for some are said to have been most cases, however, they are persis found which were 600 or even 1,000 tent, rotting slowly away and leaving feet long, and, if so, probably are the a mass of fibrous stumps attached to longest of all vegetable growths." the upper part of the stem. This rot (Wallace on "Tropical Nature.") ting mass next to the trunk forms an The leaves of many palms are of im excellent material, a kind of a peaty mense size even under cultivation. A soil, for ferns, orchids, many tillandsias specimen of the Cohune (Attalea Co- and arads, which form an exceedingly hune) in Horticultural Hall, Fair- decorative feature on what would oth mount Park, Philadelphia, not yet hav erwise be an unsightly object. Thus ing formed a trunk, has pinnate leaves nature gives us a hint how to decorate 30 feet long. Those of Manicaria sac- the bare stems of our garden palms. cifera of Para are 30 feet long and five The sheathing margins of the leaves feet wide. They are not plume-like, often break up into ,a fibrous mass, but entire and very rigid. Some of the sofetimes resembling coarse cloth and pinnate leaved palms are much larger, sometimes bast or even horse hair. those of Raphia taedigera and Maximil- The climbing palms are very remark iana regia being both sometimes more FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 14t

than 50 feet long. The fan-shaped product of one of the rattan palms. leaves of the West1. Indian Cabbage The fruit of the Areca Palm (Areca Palmetto (Sabal umbraculifera) are Catechu) is the 'betel nut' so universal eight to ten feet in diameter. ly chewed by the Malays as a gentle In tropical countries the uses of the stimulant and is their substitute for palms are so exceedingly important the opium of the Chinese, the tobacco and so varied that it would fill volumes of the European and the cocoanut leaf to go into detail. Suffice it to say that of South America:" they furnish everything to the inhabi The so-called vegetable ivory is sup tants of the tropics: food, cloth, houses plied by a beautiful plume-leaved palm and ornaments. We all know some (Phytelephas macrocarpa) of South thing of the uses of the Cocoanut Palm America. and the Date Palm, but these are only Many of the most beautiful and most two species while there are hundreds impressive palms are at present culti of other useful kinds. Sugar of the vated in the palm houses of our large best quality is made of the sap of the cities. The "Palmehgarten" in Frank- Sugar Palm (Arenga saccharifera) and fort-on-the-Main has a world-wide the Indian Date Palm (Phoenix syl- fame, not only as a scientific institu vestris), the latter a most beautiful tion, but also as a resort of pleasure palm of our gardens. "The sap which and recreation. The largest scientific pours out of the cut flower-stalk of sev collection is found at Herrenhausen, eral species of palms/' says Alfred R. near Hanover, over which the cele Wallace in Tropical Nature, "when brated palm specialist, Hermann slightly fermented, forms palm wine Wendland, presided for half a century. or toddy, a very agreeable drink, and In our own land the rare collection when mixed with various herbs or of magnificent palms in Horticultural roots check fermentation, a fair imita Hall, Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, is tion of beer is produced. Other arti undoubtedly the finest in the country. cles of food are cooking oil from the This palm house is almost seventy- Cocoanut and Baccaba Palm, salt from five feet high and many specimens the fruit of a South American Palm reach quite the top of the glass roof. (Leopoldina major), while the terminal When I first saw the tall and majestic bud or 'cabbage' of many species is an specimens of Livistonia sinensis, Cocos excellent, nutritious vegetable, so that plumosa, Ceroxylon andicola, Phoenix palms may be said to supply bread, oil, Canariensis, Seaforthia elegans, Atta- sugar, salt, fruit and vegetables. Oils lea Cohune and many others in com are made from several distinct species, pany of the Norfolk Island pine (Arau- especially the celebrated Oil Palm of caria excelsa) and the Bunya-Bunya West Africa, while wax is secured (Araucaria Bidwilli), large clumps of from the leaves of some South Ameri bamboos, clusters of screw pines (Pan- can species (Copernicia cerifera, etc.). danus), masses of bananas, huge tree The resin called 'dragon's blood' is the ferns, immense specimens of the glossy 148 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Cycas circinalis, I had the impression cies are known to science, their great of being in a fairyland. The trunks of est abundance having been recorded most of these palms were densely cov by naturalists to be in the Amazon val ered with conspicuous tropical creep ley and adjacent regions. About 14 ers, particularly philodendrons, an- species are indigenous to Florida. One thuriums, Monstera deliciosa, Pothos is found in California and there are sev aurea and other arads. Underneath eral species occurring as far north as them were fine masses of the pretty South Carolina. Many of the strictly flowering banana (Musa coccinea), al tropical palms thrive splendidly in most always in bloom and extremely South Florida, while many of the sub showy; of garland flowers (Hedychium tropical species find a congenial home Gardnerianum), of Pandanus Veitchii all along the gulf coast. and P. caricosus, thickets of Bamboo While I have seen grand specimens Palms (Rhapis flabelliformis and Rh. of the Canary Island Date Palm and humilis), clumps of fancy-leaved Cala- the Cabbage Palmetto in New Orleans, diums, spider lilies (Hymenocallis) and it can be safely said that extensive col crinums, exquisite specimens of Ma- lections can only be formed in Florida ranta zebrina, Phyllotaenium Lindeni, and California. These two states, various Alocasias and of ferns and sel- however, have a very different climate. aginellas. How often have I feasted Florida is rather humid, but the soil is my eyes on these tropical landscape usually light and not rich, while Cali idyls! How charmingly was Nature in fornia has a dry climate and a very her poetic beauty copied here by the heavy, rich soil. Florida has, during artistic hand of the landscape the summer, heavy rains, while in Cal gardener! There is no doubt that in ifornia no rain falls during this season. our Florida gardens similar effects can For this reason it is evident that many be obtained by judicious planting—in palms, growing well in Florida, cannot deed they have been obtained in many be grown successfully in California and of our gardens. We have a large vice versa. Howeas (Kentias) and assemblage of highly colored and Arecas do very well in Southern Cali beautiful leaved plants and tropi fornia, but they are no success in Flor cal flowers at our command which ida, even under the most favorable form charming adjuncts to our garden conditions. On the other hand, such palms, an advantage not found in any glorious palms as the Cocoanut, the other part of our country, and we different Royal Palms, Acrocomia To- should make extensive use of them. tai and numerous other species do not Though mainly inhabitants of the seem to thrive at all in California. The equatorial regions of both hemis richest collections of palms in the lat pheres, there are quite a number of ter state are found in Santa Barbara, palms growing in high altitudes or Pasadena and Dos Angeles. overstepping their northern or south In our own state the late Mr. Ed ern limit. About 1,200 different spe mund H. Hart, of Federal Point, has FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 149 brought together a most beautiful col abound in every good garden! The lection of species. Mr. Theo. L. Mead, Royal Palms of Biscayne Bay and of of Lake Charm, has experimented for Fort Myers are well known to all plant years with a large number of palms, lovers who visited these places. Sea- and Mr. George Abbott, of Orlando, forthia eleg(ans thrives splendidly in has a very representative collection. Bradentown. Elais Guineensis, the Mr. J. F. Dommerich at Maitland has Oil Palm, is a feature in Mr. Chas. T. also a fine collection. In Orlando, the Simpson's garden at Little River near floral city of our State, there are num Biscayne Bay. Why should not the erous large specimens in many gar magnificent Cohune, the various As- dens, notably in Mr. Overstreet's and trocaryums and Raphias, Euterpes, Fuller's, the latter planted by the late Caryotas, Arengas and others thrive Mr. Geo. B. Breen, Bishopstead, is also equajly well in South Florida ? Coper- replete with palms and bamboos. Mr. nica cerifera, the Wax Palm of Para E. N. Reasoner, the introducer of hun guay and its near allies thrive splen dreds of beautiful tropical plants adapt didly in Southern Italy, and I am sure ed to our soil and climate, has dissem these fine palms will do equally well in inated many fine and rare palms. Central and South Florida. Mr. A. There is a wealth of grand specimens, Fiehe under the late H. P. Plant—a tall and majestic, in the grounds of the real benefactor of Florida—landscape Royal Palm Nurseries. Many of them gardener of the Plant Railroad Sys were planted by the late P. W. Rea tem, set out years ago an avenue of soner more -than thirty years ago. the beautiful Cocos plumosa in front of Florida is a large state, touching al the Tampa Bay Hotel. They are to most the tropics. Many species not day about 50 feet high and bear fruits hardy enough in the northern and cen heavily. I have scarcely ever seen a tral parts of the state can undoubted more impressive picture. Then there ly be grown successfully in the ex are in the same grounds avenues of treme south—in places where the man Cabbage Palmettos and fine bearing go, the sapodilla and avocado ripen specimens of the Chinese Fan Palm their fruits. I am of the opinion that (Livistonia sinensis). Cocos plumosa as yet we only have touched the fringe and C. flexuosa are successfully grown of what we may hope to achieve in the on Mr. Dommerich's place, "Hiawa cultivation of tropical palms. What tha," at Maitland. Mr. E. H. Hart at a magnificent sight do the groves of Federal Point has successfully grown Cocoanut palms present at Palm Beach the beautiful} Diplothemium iCaudes- and elsewhere on the East Coast, cens and D. campestre of Southern where the glowing blossoms of the Brazil, the very beautiful Livistonia royal poinciana light up the landscape Hoogendorpii of Java, Livistonia oli- like fiery flames, where the leaves of vaeformis (Corypha Gebanga) and the the traveller's tree attain gigantic pro splendid Livistonia rotundifolia, also of portions and where thickets of crotons Java, for many years. He wrote me 150 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

that all these palms, Livistonia sinen- Small palms are very cheap. Set sis and L. australis included, need out in rich soil and carefully attended shade and very rich soil in order to to, they soon attain their unique beau grow them successfully. Many of the ty. They increase from year to year pigmies of the family, particularly the in beauty and in value. With a com species of the genus Chamaedorea, paratively small outlay the most ex Geonoma and others thrive well in quisite landscape pictures can be creat sheds from which frost can be exclud ed, the like not to be seen in any other ed, and on verandas. ,part of our country. How barren and I cannot refrain from mentioning in desolate do our small towns and cities this connection, as a matter of fact, generally look. It has always been a that the two Fan Palms from Lower pleasure to me to return to Orlando California, Washingtonia robusta and with its beautiful garden homes. This W. Sonorae, thrive better in our state state is pre-eminently the home of than they do in California. J±nd I also countless winter sojourners and pleas want to impress on the mind of my ure seekers, not only from the north reader that these two palms are the but even from Europe, people who are coming avenue palms par excellence not only equipped with a full pocket- for Florida, thriving as they do equal book, but also with a broad mind, an ly well in Jacksonville and in Miami. excellent education and a good taste. Majestic specimens of these palms are They will not stay in desolate places. met with all over the state, especially In order to attract them many things in St. Augustine in the grounds of the are essential, but I think nothing is Ponce de Leon, etc., in Federal Point, more imporant than to beautify our Lake Charm and elsewhere. cities and rural homes with tropical Florida, the home of so many wild vegetation. Every community in species, should everywhere abound in Florida, every city and town should groups and avenues of palms. They not only embellish their homes but imbue dignity; beauty and an inde also should create attractive public scribable charm to every place where places. Large and well laid out parks they have been rightly used. The Cab are a necessity ot every larger town, bage Palmetto should always be plant not only in an educational sense for ed in groups or avenues while the mas the residents but primarily to attract sive Canary Island Date or the Indian the winter visitor. Such men like the Date look very beautiful as isolated late H. B. Plant, and in our days, Mr. specimens on the lawn, the former hav H. M. Flagler, were well aware of ing a spread of 30 feet in diameter. A this fact. There are thousands upon group of the various species of hardy thousands every winter pouring to Cocos is very charming, particularly the East Coast, to St. Augustine, Palm when magnolias, araucarias, cupressus Beach and Miami, because these places torulosa and other evergreens form the have a world-wide fame as points of background. beauty. And this beauty mainly con- FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 151 sists in the art of the landscape gard than from frost. This particularly holds ener. Particularly the palms, so lav true in the case of Livistonia sinensis ishly planted around the great hotels, and L. australis, two very beautiful in connection with other tropical and imposing' Fan Palms. The dwarf plants, are the foundation of this Bamboo Palms (Rhapis flabelliformis fame. Earthly paradises have been and Rh. humilis) and all the Chamae- made out of sandy tracts and mosquito doreas and Geonomas will only grow infected marshes. If Mr. Flagler had in the shade. Most all species of Co- cos, Phoenix, Sabal, Acrocomia, Ore- done nothing else in his life but to cre ate these enchanting gardens, he would odoxa, Caryota, etc., revel in bright deserve an everlasting monument. sunshine. The palm is a formal tree. No other The preparation of the soil preced plant can be used so advantageously ing the planting is the most important in connection with classic architecture. point in the cultivation of palms every While the Giant Bamboo, formal, too, where, but particularly in Florida in outline, is more a plant to hide un where the sandy soil is very deficient sightly places and to overshadow the in plant food. Undoubtedly, many cabin of the simple dweller, the proud palms will grow in rather poorly pre and majestic palm always heightens pared soil, but they have to keep up a the effect of refined and beautiful arch constant struggle for existence, grow- itecture. But palms never must be ing either very slowly or being at a grown to the exclusion of other fine standstill for an indefinite period. Such evergreens. Avenue of palms, groups specimens never will reveal their beau of palms and single specimens look ty and are always a pitiful sight. most beautiful when bamboos, mag In setting out palms it must be our nolias, royal poincianas, rubber trees aim to grow them into fine specimens or banyans form the background. Es as rapidly as possible. Only as pecially the bamboos are excellent such do they reveal all their elegance companion plants of all palms. and grace, their refined and unique I grow over 70 different palms in my beauty. For all large growing palms, garden, the most tender and the shade- such as Sabals, Phoenix, Washington loving species under a lath shelter. nias, Acrocomias, Livistonias, Cocos, Though this number may perhaps be etc., it is necessary to dig large holes reduced considerably from a strictly —six feet deep and six feet in diameter botanical standpoint, they are' all dif is not too much. These holes should ferent horticulturally. be filled two-thirds with rotten wood, It may be well to state here that pine needles, leaves, bones and stable hardiness is frequently a question of manure, preferably cow dung. Bones size, the larger ones passing a cold and old tin cans should be placed at spell unharmed, while the small ones the bottom. The entire mass must perish if not protected. Many palms be well trodden down and left to the also need protection from sun more elements, rain and sunshine for at least 152 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

•six or eight months. The upper third stand our occasional cold spells. When should be filled in when the planting setting out small specimens from pots is done. It should consist of a mixture just received from the nursery it is not •of well rotted stable manure and sur necessary to prepare large holes. In face soil. If there is no stable manure this case it will suffice to dig holes 3 feet at hand,, cotton seed meal may be used deep and 3 feet in diameter. advantageously, but this must be ap In dry weather all newly planted palms plied several months before planting as must be well watered. Applications of it would be injurious in a fresh state. manure water now and then also prove It must be well mixed with the soil, exceedingly beneficial. but in every case planting must be de Our open air palms are rarely troubled ferred until this material has become with insects. Some time scale insects well decomposed. After the hole has infests the leaves, but they are easily been brought into a good condition, eradicated by spraying with soap water plant your palm in the center, spread to which some kerosene oil has been ad flout the roots with the hand, fill in the ded—about a cup of kerosene to a large soil and tread it down with your feet; bucket of water. The underside of the then apply water to settle the soil. A leaves particularly must be sprayed. mulch of leaves, pine needles, or grass is Small palms are easily protected from the next procedure. Place it thickly frost,, but banking with soil is of little -•around the plant. Later, when the roots use if we fail to protect the heart. This have taken hold of the soil and a vigor is best done by placing evergreen boughs ous growth has followed, a mulch of over the center of the plant, followed by stable manure is necessary. When this old bags, Spanish moss, paper and straw rots it should be dug in around the plant. or hay. This material must be removed Never burn old rotten wood, leaves or as soon as the cold wave has passed. I weeds, but dig them in around your usually place over the center of my large plants. In order to keep up a vigorous tender palms bunches of excelsior and and rapid growth and to obtain grand dry pine needles, followed by green pine and imposing specimens, fertilizer and branches and Spanish moss. Of late water are the most important factors. years I have never protected the tender The far-famed specimens of beautiful Phoenix species or Da'.e Palms, and they palms in the Riviera every spring receive have not suffered in the le&c\ a one-horse cart of stable manure each In our soil two applications of fertilizer II. should be given—one in May or June, consisting of a thick mulch of stable man The following four genera oi rather ure or cotton-seed meal. In October tall-growing and hardy palms are the this should be dug in and an application most important for our Florida gardens. of commercial fertilizer, rich in potash Cocos, or Cocoamit Palms. and phosphoric acid, should follow. This Phoenix, or Date Palms. will harden the plants sufficiently to with Sabal, or Cabbage Palmettos. FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 153

W ashing tonia, or California Fan On the west coast it grows as far north Palms. as Punta Gorda. The large groves of Among the palms suitable to our soil these palms all along the ocean form and climate, I must assign the first place very, impressive and lasting pictures in to the genus Cocos. This consists of the mind of the lover of the beautiful. the true cocoanut; of the tender soft- They thrive like native plants, fruiting leaved section, including the beautiful heavily and being rarely injured by frost. Cocos plumosa, C. flexuosa and C. Ro- In one of his interesting letters, Prof. C. manzoffiana; of the dwarf and elegant T. Simpson of Little River writes me as C. Weddelliana and, most important of follows: "I wish you could sit here by all, the species of the C. australis group. me, in this pavilion eighty feet out in the They are not only the quickest growers bay, on the end of the wharf and enjoy and the most ornamental and elegant the breeze and the lovely view over and palms, but many of them grow faster down Biscayne Bay, with a peep out and better in our high pine land than any through the keys in the open Atlantic, other palm, being particularly adapted to Down the shore along Lemon City the poor and rather dry soils. On my growth is largely tall mangroves where place in the high, dry pine region, they have not been cut away, and, where self sown seedlings come up everywhere they have, everybody has planted Cocoa- without any care. This genus is pre nut Palms until they look like a forest eminently American, being found in along the beach, from twenty to fifty many species in Brazil and extending feet high. Away down at the lower end southward to Argentina. Mostly the of Lemon City a few scattered, tall ones species are gregarious, like our Cabbage cut the sky-line with beautiful effect and Palmetto, growing together in large they always look better that way than in

groups or groves. groves or rows. Cocos nucifera, Linn., the true. Cocoa- The Cocoanut generally bears all the nut Palm, is at present a cosmopolitan, time here and I have seen trees with a being found in all tropical coast regions two-horse wagon load of nuts on at one of the world, never occuring far inland. time, but I have seen Cocoanut trees Very likely, an inhabitant of the Amer twenty-five feet high so scorched by the ican continents in remote times, it has freeze that for months I thought they found since times immemorial a home in were dead." all warm parts of the world, the waves Stoddard, in his delightful book "South of the ocean having acted as a mean? of Sea Idyls," calls the Cocoanut palms "the c'istribution. In Florida it has evident exclamation points in the poetry of the ly been introduced from the West Indies. tropical landscape." It is a common and most conspicuous In Polynesia this is the most valuable palm all along the east coast from Palm of all plants, supplying oil, clothing, all Beach—this far-famed winter resort kinds of important utensils, food, drink takes its name from the groves of Cocoa- in the shape of Cocoanut milk, and an ex nut Palms along its beach—southward. cellent palm wine is made from the sap 154 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. by the Singhalese. Nowhere it thrives being a very fast grower. Its native far inland and rarely specimens are seen home is central Brazil, where it usually in our large conservatories. The aid of grows in rich, moist soil. This is one of the sea water, crushed shells in the soil the most important palms for outdoor and the sea weeds acting as a fertilizer culture, being hardy as far north as Or are needed to grow them successfully. lando and Lake Charm. Mr. Mead, the The Singhalese have a saying that the introducer of many a garden jewel, was "Cocoanut trees do not thrive unless you the first who grew this and other spe walk and talk amongst them," which in cies of the genus. When the great freeze dicates that they must receive loving care of 1895 occurred, his tall and imposing in order to supply the wants of the peo- specimen was killed outright. There are pie. fine young specimens at Mr. Dommer- Everywhere along our coast this mag- ich's. place, "Hiawatha," at Maitland. In nificant palm should find a place in the the idyllic grounds of the Tampa Bay gardens and parks and should be largely Hotel I feasted my eyes on a long avenue planted. of these palms which are about 50 feet Cocos Weddelliana Wendl is one of the high. They have magnificent crowns of most popular palms for home decora leaves, and ripen annually large bunches tion in all civilized countries, its easy of fruit. The tallest and most impres growth, small size, elegance and beauty sive specimens of this palm I saw in the adapt it particularly for this purpose. It grounds of Reasoner Bros, at Oneco, Fla. is a native of Braizl where it rarely grows Lofty and graceful, their magnificent taller than 6 or 7 feet. The delicate, crowns of feathery leaves, touched by the glossy, deep, green, feathery leaves form soft breezes, appeared to be pictured from a perfect circle of elegance. It is a shade dreamland. And near them grew large, and moisture-loving plant, growing fine specimens of Acrocomia Totai, tall and ly in plant sheds. In such plant sheds, massive Phoenix Canariensis, P. sylves- which should be added to every good gar tris, Ph. reclinata, and nearby the finest den in Florida, it can be easily protected and densest coniferous tree I ever saw, from sun and cold. My specimens have Araucaria Bidwilli. Gigantic specimens not been injured by a temperature of 26 of feathery bamboos stood in the back degrees Fahrenheit, but they were cover ground, swaying their leaf-masses in the ed with pine needles and green pine breezes. In and near Orlando this palm branches. In Orlando a specimen has needs, during the first few years, some borne good crops of seeds for several protection from very cold weather. It years. This shed, in which asparagus should be largely planted where there is- plumosus is grown for the market, is a chance that it may prove hardy, because heated by stoves during very cold weath it is one of our noblest palms and has a er. It also makes a fine veranda plant. beauty and elegance entirely its own. Cocos plumosa, Hook, is one of the Cocos jlexuosa, Mart, is another of the- most elegant and beautiful of all palms, of the feathery soft-leaved species from and it has the additional good quality of Brazil and in its young state is scarcely FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 155

distinguishable from the former. In older Their leaves are mostly bluish-green, specimens, the leaflets along the midrib hard to the touch and recurved in out stand ftiore closely together and the entire line. All my specimens, with a few ex aspect, though not easy to describe, is ceptions, were raised from seed which I somewhat different. It is also a much mostly obtained from Southern Brazil, hardier plant, a slower grower and not so Blumenan, Porto Alegre and other Ger tall. I have a specimen 8 or 9 years old man settlements. Some came from the that has been outgrown by 3 year old Riviera, where these elegant palms form plants of Cocos plumosa. a most charming feature in the sub-trop Cocos Romanzoffiana, Chamisso., an ical gardens. None of these species are exquisite palm closely related to the two adapted to moist flat-woods soil, but they former. It is hardier than both, more are easily grown in high hammock and massive and very ornamental. The pine lands. When planting young spe trunks attain a height of 30 to 40 feet cimens, set them in depressions at least and the leaves are 15 to 20 feet long. It half a foot deep. If set too high they will is a common palm in Southern Brazil not have a tight stand and are easily near the sea and is largely planted in the blown over when large. The seeds of parks and streets of Buenos Ayres and all species of the genus have the charac other places of Argentine, where magni teristics of the true cocoanut—in fact they ficent avenues of it form the delight of are cocoanuts in miniature. This class, travellers. Unfortunately, it has hot yet known as the Cocos australis group, has gained a foothold in our gardens, young the leaf stems nearest the trunk provided specimens only being known and these with blunt spines. look very much like those of the two pre Cocos australis, Mart., the Pindo Palm ceding species. There is no doubt that is a native of Paraguay, Southern Bra it will, be hardy in Central and South zil and Argentine, where it occurs in a Florida. My young specimens have not wild state on rather high river banks, suffered from frost during the past few and in mostly immense groves to the winters. Seed can easily J>e imported exclusion of almost every other taller from Buenos Ayres. plant. Tlie glossy, bluish-green, pin Cocos coronata, Mart,, another Brazil nate leaves are recurved, and very ele ian species which has been disseminated gant. It is one of the fairest palms by Reasoner Bros, of late years, looking known, and of a charm entirely its very much like C. plumosa in its young own. The flower-spathe is long, point state. ed on both ends, club-like in the center We now come to the most important and contains a spike of yellowish-red members of the genus,—important be flowers. The fruit is not produced in cause they all revel in rich and rather dry such quantities as in some other spe soil, are perfectly hardy as far north as cies, usually only a hundred reddish-' Jacksonville, bear immense quantities of yellow, fragrant, cherry-rlike fruits on plum-like, intensely fragrant, juicy fruit a spike, but often much less. Dr. T. and are comparatively rapid growers. Morong says, that the fronds are 156 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. largely used in Paraguay in the decora closed in a very massive spathe of the tion of churches, dwelling-houses oil size and form of a baseball club, or, as festive occasions, and that on Palm a visitor expressed himself, of a "huge Sunday crowds may be met on the Hertules' club." An excellent wine, streets bearing the green fronds ia jam and jelly can be made of the their hands. He also asserts that it fruits. It grows freely in rich, dry makes a beautiful shade tree, being a pine land soil and, like all the other great ornament in the parks and gar species of this group, it does not seem dens of Asuncion. to require much attention. To Mr. Cocos Datil, Dntde, the Entre Rios Theo. L. Mead belongs the credit of Palm, the most masssive of all the spe having introduced this palm into cul cies, rivalling in this respect almost the tivation, but I think his specimens on Canary Island Date, though the leaves rich, moist land all have perished. It are much shorter. In mature speci is perfectly hardy and should be mens the trunk is about 30 feet high. grown everywhere in the state and all I have a few fine photographs of these along the gulf coast where the soil is palms, said to have been taken by Dr. suitable. G. Niederleiii in the Missiones, Ar Cocos eriospatha, Mart., From South gentine, which exhibits quite large ern Brazil where it attains a height of dense forests of tall specimens grow 20 to 25 feet. A particular character ing in rather rocky and stony soil. I istic of this palm is the very recurved have only one specimen now, about 15 leaves—more recurved than in any feet high with a very thick and massive other species. The trunk is short and trunk about seven feet high. Ferns thick and the flower-spathe is large and (Phlebodium aureum) grow all around club-like. This usually bursts open it in dense masses and form a beautiful with a loud crack, and reveals a very decoration on the rough stem which is large and, much branched flower-truss still provided with the old leaf-bases. of a deep violet-red color which soon The magnificent crown of stout, al becomes darker yellow. The flower- most upright leaves, overtopping the spathe, as well as the flower-stem, is sturdy trunk, make the specimen an thickly covered with a mealy powder. exceedingly stately one. Each year it The fruit is almost as large as a good matures about eight to nine fruit- sized plum and of the form of a peen- bunches, weighing from 35 to 50 to peach, i. e., flat on both sides, and pounds each. Each fruit, of a light or when ripe, of a deep yellow color. It ange color, is as large as a plum, very is very juicy and so full of sugar that rich in sugar, juicy, intensely fragrant, it becomes very sticky when fully ripe. like a combination of bananas and It is strongly aromatic and of a delic pineapples, and edible. The fruits are ious flavor. The bunches weigh from as closely set as a bunch of grapes. I 2S to 35 pounds and consist of about have counted over 1,000 in one cluster. 500 fruits. This is the best fruiting The large divided flower-scape is en kind and, next to Cocos Datil, the most FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 15T prolific, outrivalling all others in qual that the stems in its native habitat ity. I have already alluded to the fact were mostly decorated with ferns and that the nomenclature of these garden bromeliads and not infrequently with palms is in a chaotic condition and it clusters of a fine cactus (Epiphyllum will require the painstaking study of a Gaertneri). The trunk is at present trained botanist to clear it up. Like six feet high and is covered all over almost all the other species, this is also with several species of orchids, brome a very elegant palm and perfectly liads, cacti, (Phyllocactus latifrons)> hardy all over the state and along the ferns (Phlebodium aureum). It bears gulf coast. heavily and I have counted as many as 980 fruits in one bunch. They are Cocos petraea, Hort. also comes from closely packed, of the size of a small Southern Brazil. It is a very distinct plum, orange-yellow with a red cheek, plant with rigid leaves not as numerous very juicy, intensely fragrant and of as in other species. Their color is an apricot flavor. Chickens and chil glaucous green. The long petioles are dren are very fond of them, and so are provided with blunt spines. My speci opossums, raccoons, squirrels and blue- men has not yet flowered. jays, not to mention the very injurious Cocos campestris, Mart. Stem slen fish crows which mostly in swarms set der and leaves short—not more than tle in the trees and destroy the entire four feet long, very numerous, which crop in a very short time. This is a gives the plant a dense aspect. This most beautiful palm, reminding in its palm attains a height of only eight or shape very much of C. Datil, but it is nine feet and is well adapted to be not so massive. The leaves are about planted in the foreground of palm ten feet long". groups. The fruit is creamy in color Cocos Yatay, Ma/rt., with a trunk of and not larger than a pea. About ioo about 10 to 15 feet in its habitat, South to 150 are contained in one bunch. It ern Brazil. The beautiful, gracefully re is a fast grower and does well in the curved leaves are abount nine or ten shade of tall trees. A specimen near feet long. Dr. Udo Dammer, the a camphor tree and several magnolias greatest living authority on garden has outgrown all others standing in palms, states that the leaves in full- full sun. Native home, Southern Bra grown specimens are 4.25 meters zil. (about 13 feet) long. The spines on Cocos Gaertneri, Hort. This is one the leaf-stems are described as black, of the very best of our garden palms, but in my specimens they are, like the a fast grower, very elegant, with a entire leaf-stem, deep violet purple and dense leaf crown of rather erect the leaves arch gracefully to all sides. fronds. My specimen is about fifteen This species grows extremely well un years old. I raised it from seed which der the shade of oaks, grevilleas, mag was sent me by the late Mr. Gaertner nolias, gordonias and bamboos in my from Southern Brazil. He wrote me garden. It has not yet flowered. 158 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Cocos Blumenavia Hort. This very Cocos Nehelingii, Hort. This name fine and elegant palm comes from was given to this most singular palm Blumenau, Southern Brazil. The stem provisionally by Mr. George Abbott, the of my largest specimen, about fifteen palm specialist of Orlando and Philadel years of age, is about six feet high, phia. He was so struck with the inde- surrounded by a dense crown of arch scrible beauty and elegance of this Cocos ing glaucous fronds, about seven to that he insisted upon naming it after the eight feet long. At first sight it seems author in order to distinguish it from to resemble Cocos australis, but it has other kinds. It is the fastest grower of a much denser leaf-crown. The small all the species of this group, my largest cherry-like fruits are produced in dense specimen being about 16 feet high and a clusters almost all the year round, as little more in diameter. It was raised iii C. Gaertneri. from seed ten years ago. They came Cocos Bonneti, Hort. From the Ri from Blumenau, Brazil. The trunk is viera. There is a great confusion about 15 inches in diameter, densely cov among most all the species of these ered with fibrous masses of brown bast. garden palms and quite a number, dis The lower leaves are about 15 feet long, tributed at present from the Riviera gracefully arched aiid touching the and Southern Italy, may have originat grouncl while the central ones are more ed through accidental cross pollina erect. The color is a deep glossy green tion. This variety is very- likely such a with a slightly glaucous hue, and the un chance hybrid. It reminds very much derside is more silvery. The flowers ap of the former, but the leaf-crown is pear early in the season, often in Jan more open and altogether less beauti uary. The spathe is very slender, thin, ful. The lower leaves die off much sharply pointed and about 3 to 4 feet quicker than is the case in other spe long. The flowers are very different cies. It ripens large bunches of strong from all others, the scape being much ly aromatic fruits the size of a hazel branched, of a deep purplish color and the nut. flowers are very conspicuous violet or Cocos argentea, Hort. This is one of lavendar and very ornamental. Only the most striking and beautiful of all my about fifty fruits are usually scattered palms, the leaves being very long, quite erect and the lower ones gracefully re over the large scape. They are as large curved and of a very striking, silvery as a hazel nut and of a very striking red whiteness. The fronds are about 12 feet color with a small green apex. When long and the trunk is at present 5 feet ripe they are glossy red with a small high. It has not yet flowered and I have greenish-yellow point. They are quite seen this most impressive palm nowhere dry and of little aroma. This exquisite else. The seeds were received from palm grows vigoriously on high, dry pine Hoage & Schmidt, Erfurt, Germany, in land. As it ripens about ten spikes of the fall of 1891, who had imported them fruit annually, I hope to be able to dis from Southern Brazil. tribute it over the entire State. The two FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 159 last named species are the finest of the species of palms in existence capable of genus in my garden. enduring the asperities of winter in Cocos Meadiae, Hort. This name I Florida without material damage. When apply to a very distinct, small-growing these shall have been collected and nat Cocos which was introduced by Mr. uralized here, it will be possible for us to Theodore L. Mead of Lake Charm. Jt achieve scenic effects in landscape gar is a dwarf-growing species with short, dening that would have thrown Charles much recurved fronds, about 3 feet long. Kingsley into raptures," and I add, all The color is a very striking bluish-green. other lovers of beautiful and refined The young leaves when unfolding are tropical plants also. The species and var provided with brown filaments which are ieties of Cocos described in these lines very brittle and drop when the full take the lead among hardy palmg. growth is finished. The stem is short The next most important group for the and stout. At present my two specimens, embellishment of our gardens are the about seventeen years old, are scarcely members of the genus Phoenix, or the more than 5 feet high. They have not Date Palms. They are all inhabitants of yet flowered. the warm regions of Asia and Africa, Cocos Alphonsei Hort., the Belair and, while a few occur in swampy places, Palm common in our gardens. Large the majority is found in rather high and specimens of this fast growing kind I dry ground, some even in the driest and examined years ago in the once famous hottest regions of the world, where grounds of the late General Sanford at scarcely any other form of vegetation his place, Belair, near Sanford. They exists. About twelve to fifteen well de were about 50 feet high with tall, slen fined species are known to science, and der trunks and rather small, thin crowns all of them grow well in our climate. of leaves. At the time they did not They vary considerably, and there are strike me as particularly impressive, and quite a number of distinct local forms I must admit that I was quite disappoint all placed under one name, though differ ed when I saw them. It seems to me that ent in a horticultural sense. In the Ri this palm grows better on low, moist viera where most of the species are ex ground than the other members of the C. tensively grown in gardens, and whence australis group. A few specimens in my most of the seeds come, they cross freely collection, about thirteen years old, are amongst themselves and many hybrids not more than 3 or 4 feet high, though have been produced. This also ocurs in they look quite healthy. I think they my garden, where most, of the different are the least beautiful of all the varie species ripen abundant crops of seeds. For ties of Cocos I so far have seen. As the this reason the cultivated species of Phoe Belair specimens have ripened seed for nix are the most difficult to define. All many years, this kind has been widely the species are dioecious, that is, male distributed over the State. and female flowers are borne on different "Fortunately for horticulture/' says plants. They differ from all pinnate the late Mr. E. H. Hart, "there are many palms in having the leaves folded up- 160 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

wards, lengthwise, and in the peculiar ance of a checker-board in a great degree. form of their seeds, as seen in the com A group here and there, with now and mon Date Palm stones. Some of the then a single specimen apparently plant species, like the Canary Island Date and ed indiscriminately, but really with an eye the Indian Date, have solitary trunks, to the future and general effect, will make very massive and of great height, while a great difference in the beauty of the others are tufted, producing suckers free picture. No rules can be laid down, ly, like Phoenix reclinata, etc. Most of however, upon this subject, but good the latter group are small, some of them taste, common sense and general fitness belonging to the smallest and most of things should go hand in hand with charming of pot palms, like Phoenix careful thought of how it will look in the Roebbeleni, Ph. rupicola and others. The future in laying out such grounds." tall growing kinds usually have very The Date Palms for horticultural pur-^ rigid leaves, their bases being provided poses can be divided into two groups: with very long and formidable spines, in 1. Tall growing species, hardy all over flicting severe wounds when carelessly Florida. approached. The leaves of the small- 2. Tufted and tender species, hardy growing species are often very soft to the in the orange belt only. touch, and the spines at their bases are not quite so sharp and dangerous. They Phoenix dactylifera, Linn, the Com all require a very rich soil and during mon Date Palm, is, after the Cocoanut their growth an abundance of water. Palm, perhaps, the most useful fruit tree of the world, and the most celebrat While all the Cocos species spread their ed palm in existence. It is the palm roots along the surface soil and are easily tree of the Bible, and Palm Sunday has blown over if not set deep in planting, been named in honor of it. Enormous the Date Palms send their long rope-like quantities of fruits are harvested in roots to a considerable depth. It is not North Africa and in Persia, supporting unusual to find roots of the Canary Is whole populations of those dry and hot land Date Palm twenty feet deep in the desert countries with food. Immense soil. All the tall growing species look quantities are annually exported to Eu very imposing as avenue trees, of which rope and America. Although growing fine examples can be seen in the Tampa very well in Florida, the fruit of the Bay Hotel grounds, on Fort George Is Date Palm is valueless in humid clim land and elsewhere, they ought not to be ates. In the dry and hot regions of used indiscriminately. Many years ago, Southern Arizona and California it the late P. W. Reasoner gave the follow grows and fruits, however, very satis ing advice, which is worth repeating: factorily. For this reason the Bureau "In planting out large and extensive of Plant Industry, U. S. Department of grounds one mistake is commonly made, Agriculture has sent an expert, Mr. Wal that of dotting the trees around at reg ter Swingle, to the home of the Date ular distances apart, giving the appear Palm to collect the best varieties and to FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 161

introduce them to our extreme south istence. It is also one of the fastest western border.* growers with an immense crown of It requires a very dry and hot atmos bluish-green leaves, having a spread'of phere to mature its delicious fruit 20 to 25 feet in diameter. This most bunches. The Arabs have a saying that exquisite palm should be grown every the "Date Palm must have its head in where in the State, as it is hardy from the fire and its feet in water"in order to Jacksonville southward. To do its best, be a success as a fruiting tree. Volumes it requires a rich—in fact a very rich— have been written on the uses of the Date soil and moisture. It will grow well in Palm. There are numerous distinct poor uplands, but then extra applications varieties of dates grown, all readily dis of fertilizer must be given. There are tinguished by the Arabs and provided a few fine specimens in Florida, the most with names. These varieties are propa beautiful, I think, can be seen in the gated by suckers which appear more or grounds of the late Mr. E. H. Hart, at less numerously around the bases of the Federal Point. I quote from one of his trunks. Many large Date Palms are articles: "In the vegetable as well as in found in the gardens of Florida, grown the animal kingdom, the most useful are by the earlier settlers from the stones of not always the most beautiful, hence we commercial dates. Most of these, often need not be surprised at finding some quite tall, have only a scanty crown of palms whose fruit is comparatively worth light grayish-green leaves, while others less to be the most desirable for orna are extremely dense and very beautiful, ment. Chief among such is Phoenix showing a much darker bluish-green sylvestris, the Wild Date of India, whose color. They usually also produce num rapid growth, hardy constitution and erous suckers almost as large as the main dense crown of elegantly curved leaves, stem, forming in this way frequently densely set with narrow leaflets, espe very tall and impenetrable thickets. cially adapt it for decorative purposes. When these side shoots are removed, the Although yielding a small and inferior main trunk usually grows much faster. berry, yet as an economic plant it stands Years ago, I received seeds of a variety, in the foremost rank. In India it is ex Ph. dactylifera excelsa, from the Ri tensively cultivated for the sake of its viera, which is perfectly identical with sap, which, drawn off from the bud, is many of the dense and darker green boiled down into syrup and sugar, or seedlings found in our gardens. Though by distillation converted into arrack, a well grown specimens of the Date Palm fiery tipple of the Orientals. The fresh are beautiful, they cannot rival in beauty juice in the eariy stages of fermentation with the two next species. becomes a pleasant and wholesome wine, Phoenix sylvestra, Roxb. East Indian and later on it furnishes a yeast of excel Wild Date Palm, Sugar and Wine Date lent leavening power * * * * It Palm. This is one of the most beauti may surprise many in this hemisphere ful and one of the grandest palms in ex- who love the drink which 'gladdeneth the heart of man5 to learn that among the *See Bulletin No. 53, Bureau of Plant Industry.

II 162 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

nations of the earth there is consumed, ter, are often seen. It is also fine in in the aggregate, a larger measure of groups. In Orlando may be seen large wine from the palm than of the juice of and massive specimens in company of the grape." Mr. Hart describes a spe large masses of bananas and clumps of cimen twelve years old in his grounds bamboo, and this combination is extreme with a clean trunk of 7 feet, and with ly effective. In order to grow this state a very large and dense leaf-crown. ly palm well, a deep, rich soil, much water In my grounds, there are two speci- and regular applications of stable manure - mens fifteen years of age with immense and commercial fertilizer are necessary. leaf-crowns and a trunk 6 or 7 feet On dry land, mulching is a very import high. They grow on very dry and poor ant point, particularly when the plants Soil. In good, moist ground they would are young. Frequent applications of be at least double that size. The most manure strong in nitrogen, and irrigation beautiful specimen I have seen was near will help them along wonderfully. As the office of Jessamine Gardens, in PasT in most Date Palms, the strong spines co County. The leaves were deep bluish- along the leaf-stems nearest the trunk are green. There are tall wild Date Palms 'dreadful weapons, therefore, great cau in the Royal Palm Nurseries at Oneco tion in handling them is necessary. All and at Mr. Mead's and Mr. Hart's the old leaves should be cut off with a places. This extremely magnificent palm sharp pruning knife or a clipper as near should find a place in every garden in to the trunk as possible. Florida. The Canary Island Date is a hardy palm, Phoenix Canariensis, Hort. (Ph. te- the hardiest of the genus. I have seen nuis. Versch., Ph. Jubae, Webb). This large specimens in St. Augustine, Jack is a most glorious palm, and no garden sonville, Pensacola, Mobile and New is complete without it. • It is the.noblest Orleans, where the mercury quite often of all Date Palms and one of the most drops to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, and now majestic palms in cultivation. No other and then even to 10 degress Fahrenheit. palm thrives so well in this State, and The leaves are bright, deep, glossy green none other is so massive and full of gran —a very peculiar tint and difficult to de deur. On high, dry land it suffers very scribe—and the midrib has a somewhat much from drouth, but if the ground is yellowish cast. The outer ones are . made deep and rich and kept moist, it gracefully arched, while the central ones will even here -form fine specimens, but stand upright. The crown often con it takes much longer than on naturally sists of over 100 leaves, each one being rich and moist soils. In all the large from 12 to 15 feet long. Planted to gardens of the State the Canary Island gether with other palms, tall, tufted bam Date is cultivated and there are every boos and magnolias, it creates wonderful where magnificent specimens. It makes scenic effects. Young plants are very a fine and imposing avenue tree and sin cheap and no garden, large or small, gle specimens with their huge crowns of should be without one or more specimens. spreading leaves, often 30 feet in diame In New Orleans I saw a specimen in a FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 163 park with a leaf-crown fully 30 feet in hardy as the large growing species, Ph. diameter. Seats were placed all around reclinata is found in magnificent speci the massive trunk, and I was at once mens in the gardens of Mr. E. H. Hart, convinced of the fact that it makes an at Federal Point and in the grounds of ideal park tree for sub-tropical regions. Mr. Theo. L. Mead and my own. Beau Phoenix tenuis seems to be a more slen tiful specimens also can be seen in sev der form of this palm. I have a few eral gardens of Orlando. The long hybrids between this species and Ph. plume-like leaves are so much reclined dactilifera which I raised from seed com that they gracefully hang down, the lower ing from the Riviera. They are quite ones almost touching the ground. The massive, bluish-green, with a wreath uf finest specimen which I ever saw grows small suckers all around the bases. Hy in Mr. E. N. Reasoner's nursery at brids of this palm and Ph. sylvestris are Oneco,. Fla. It is about 30 feet high very massive, but also very variable, no and a picture of tropical beauty. Young two being alike. plants are easily lost by a strong freeze. We now have to consider the tender Therefore a protection of pine-needles species of Date Palms. The very beau is necessary, or pine-boughs' must be tiful and more elegant, they cannot com placed over young and newly set spe pare in massiveness and grandeur with cimens. Soil banked around such the hardy species. They all can be plants also proves an excellent protec grown successfully in the orange belt. In tion. my garden the entire leaf-crowns of most Phoenix Senegalensis, Van Houtte, as all the species are now and then cut back growing in my garden, is certainly not by frost when the thermometer falls to synonymous with the former, being en 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Though the tirely different in habit and growth. It heart is in such cases usually lost—I is a very dense, soft-leaved, deep-green have frequently pulled it out as a rotten Date Palm, growing in very large and tall mass—they soon recuperate, forming a clumps or tufts. A specimen in my gar new crown in a short time. den, about twelve years old, has reached Phoenix reclinata, Jacq. Of this fine a height of about 20 feet with very thiick African species there are quite a number stems about 8 feet high. The spathe of distinct varieties in cultivation which and^ flower-spikes are bright yellow. have not been admitted to specific rank While the former species comes . from by botanists. It is now generally con South Africa, this one has been intro ceded that Phoenix spinosa, Schum. and duced from the region of the Senegal Ph. Zanzibarensis, Hort, belong to this and^ other tropical places of Central species, thotigh these and several others Africa. It is very tender, -but is well have to be considered as distinct local adapted to all the.gardens of the orange forms. Some of these varieties are sin belt. gle stemmed, .others show a more tufted Phoenix Lepnenesis, Lodd, another growth, often five or six stems springing palm from tropical Africa, is one of the up from one root-stock. Not quite as most distinct and beautiful of the fam- 164 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. ily. Though said to be identical with younger state. I have only seen young Ph. reclinata, my specimen is very dis specimens in our gardens, but all are tinct. It is the fastest grower of all perfect pictures of health and beauty. Date Palms, very massive, with a Phoenix pusilla, Gaertn, (Ph. Zey- dense crown of long, glossy, green lanica, Hort, Ph. cycadifolia, Hort.). leaves. The leaflets along the midrib This is also a tender and beautiful spe are arranged in two's and sometimes cies from Ceylon, reminding, in the ar three's and stand close together. The rangement of its flat leaflets, of cer-1 flower-spathes appear in March in a tain species of Cycas. Though a very circle all around the upper part of the slow-growing palm in my garden, it stem. I counted twelve of them at one attains a height of 10 to 15 feet in its time. They are about two feet long native home. The foliage is deep, and are of a beautiful orange-yellow glossy green, with a yellowish midrib. color. The spike is much branched Phoenix .fafinifera, Roxb. From and of the same color. The fruit is Ceylon and India. A shrubby palm deep purplish-brown, as large as the with very rigid leaves and strong common date and very sweet. None of spines. The leaves are covered with my Date Palms have grown so rapidly. a whitish powder. As in most species The trunk of the specimen, which is of the small and tufted Date Palms, the about twelve years old, is about seven leaf-stems of this species at their bases or eight feet tall and there are quite a are provided with long, stout spines, number of small suckers all ardund the which make it impossible to walk base. It is easily hurt by a strong through clumps of it, and it is always freeze but soon recuperates. necessary to be careful when working Phoenix padulosa Roxb., from In among them. It would make a fine dia, is a fine tufted palm with long, hedge-plant, as neither man nor beast gracefully arched, spreading leaves can penetrate thickets of it. It never eight to ten feet long; trunk 12 to 15 grows tall. feet high. The leaves are whitish be Phoenix humilis, Royle, from India neath. Rare. and its variety, Ph. humilis Hanceana, Phoenix rupicola, Anderson. The Beccari, from Southern China, are ex Sikkim Date Palm from the Himalay tremely handsome and elegant tender as, from whence so many beautiful palms, never growing very tall. magnolias (M. Campbelli, Talauma Phoenix Roebbeleni, O'Brien, from Hodgsonii), tree rhododendrons and Assam and Cochin China, is also closely elegant bamboos come. It is an ex allied to the former. It is such an ele ceedingly graceful and elegant palm, gant small palm that it has become a having a slender stem 12 to 20 feet rival of Cocos Weddelliana in pot cul high. The numerous, glossy, green ture. leaves are all on one plane. It is very Phoenix Loureiroii, from Hong Kong tender and must be protected a little Ph. pedunealata, from Khasya, and Ph. in very cold weather, especially in its Ouselyana, from Central India, have FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 165 all been reduced to varieties of P. hu- treme Southeastern Texas and in Mex milis by Beccari, though in a horticul ico, where it forms a beautiful feature tural sense they prove distinct enough in the landscape, often growing to to deserve a place in all our gardens. gether in immense numbers. Up to a They are all charming little palms and height of 15 to 25 feet, the bases of the are particularly adapted to small gar old leaf-stalks remain on the trunk dens where the massive growing spe adding much to its picturesqueness, cies cannot be grown. They are all precisely as in our Florida Cabbage hardy in South Florida and in rich soil Palmetto. As this species has been soon form very graceful specimens. distributed for quite a number of Phoenix aculis, Burch is a stemless years, all over the state, there must be Indian species, with leaves five to six large specimens in many gardens, feet long and upright. though there is a possibility that they Phoenix glanca, Hprt. I received may be confounded with the native the seed of this Date Palm from Haage species. Both are, however, easily told & Schmidt, of Erfurt, Germany, about apart. The Mexican Cabbage Palmet twelve years ago. It has formed a to is more robust, has a broader and very slender stem seven feet high, with denser leaf-crown and grows much long, arching leaves of a glaucous quicker. The entire aspect is quite dif color. Quite a number of strong suck ferent. The trunk attains a height ers are found around the base. The of 50 feet and is two feet in diameter. flower-spathe is greenish-white and the The leaf-blades are very large, some flower-scape, sulphur-yellow. The times six feet long and seven feet wide, small fruits, the size of a coffee-bean, "divided to the middle in very narrow are deep red. This is one of the most two-parted segments, which are fila distinct and elegant of all my palms. mentous near the margin." It grows Phoenix tornentosa, Hort, in my gar easily and should be found in all gar den seems to be identical with Ph. dens where the beauty of palms is ap farinifera. preciated. All the foregoing palms belong to the Sabal Blackburniana, Glazebrook, feathery or pinnate-leaved section. The Bermuda Cabbage Palmetto. There is members of the following two genera some confusion about this species. The have all beautiful fan-shaped leaves. I seeds from which my specimens were shall first call the attention of my read grown came from Bermuda, the botan ers to the genus Sabal, the Cabbage ical authorities give the West Indies Palmettos. The genus is strictly as its habitat. I call special attention American. Our native Cabbage Pal to a very fine article on the subject in metto is fully described in a previous that fine publication of Prof. C. S. Sar paper. gent, "Garden and Forest" (Vol. IV., Sabal Mexicana, Martins, Mexican page 307), where a full description Cabbage Palmetto, closely allied to and an illustration is given. I have our native species. It is found in ex quite a number of specimens in my 166 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

garden-, but they are all very slow sceptical would admit that palms are growers. The leaves are flat, divided rightly named 'the kingly race of into about forty lobes. Where the plants.' Riding underneath nothing rather short leaf-stem joins the blade could surpass in grandeur and beauty there is a triangular, greenish-white tall stems, canopied by immense fan- spot. It is a large and distinct palm, shaped leaves rustling', and rattling and closely allied to our native species. against each other in the refreshing See "Garden and Forest," Vol. IV., breeze." The very word of these lines .pages 302 and 307 for further informa fits our native Cabbage Palmetto as tion. seen in groves in many places of our Sabal umbraculifera, Mwrt., Jamaica beautiful state, the Jamaica Royal Pal Cabbage Palmetto, Palmetto Royal, metto is much larger in all its parts. Giant Fan Palm, Big Thatch Palm of Of the economic use of this species, Jamaica. Some botanists have made mention may be made of the leaves, this species synonymous with the which form the only thatching ma former, but it is decidedly distinct from terial of the houses of the region for the palmetto coming from Bermuda. both negro and European. Mats, ropes, A magnificent palm, very massive and hats and baskets are made and the noble in appearance. The trunk at hollowed trunks, cut into short tains a height of 90 to 100 feet, and ac lengths, make admirable bee-hives and cording to Sir D. Morris, the leaves are even used as flower pots. are five to six feet across. "This palm,*' I have fine specimens of this grand he continues, "is essentially gregari palm in my collection, and I have ous ; it is found covering several thou found that they are entirely hardy. sand acres, literally forming extensive They were raised from seed received groves in the Pedro Plains * * * from Mr. Wm. Fawcett, Director of They occupy, chiefly, dry, elevated Public Gardens and Plantations, Ja banks and dry strips of land between maica. Only the following species numerous lagoons and morasses—the seem to have larger leaves. On my haunts of turtles and alligators. Seen young specimens they are 8 to 10 feet across one of these lagoons, the ef in diameter. There are quite a num fect produced by a view of this palm ber of fine specimens growing in vari forest is indescribable. The tall, ous gardens in Florida. Mr. Theo. L. straight, cylindrical columns sur Mead, at Lake Charm, has a magnifi mounted by their globular masses of cent specimen on his place, fully 30 fronds, often 25 to 30 feet across, are feet high, with a very broad and im seen to rise out of the sea of green posing leaf-crown. Like all the Cab sedges and grasses, and as no other bage palmettoes it is perfectly hardy growths intervene the result—merely in the orange belt, growing with great as a matter of scenery—is well worth vigor in rich, moist soil, but when well a visit to the tropics to behold. Un cared for, it also grows finely on high der such circumstances even the most pine land. Several palms in my gar- FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 167

den grow under the names of Sabal This may be a valuable addition to our princeps and S. Ghiesbreghtii seem to .garden palms. Its scientific name is be identical with this species. The Sabal Uresana, Trelease. Sabals develop slowly, and it does not The next most important group of seem unlikely that one or the other Fan Palms for our gardens are the may prove distinct when fully grown. species of Washingtonia, the Califor This species has the habit of flowering nia Fan Palms. They are all large and bearing fruit when just commenc growing species with massive trunks ing to form a stem. I have quite a and beautiful leaf-crowns. Three dis number of si:ch specimens in my gar tinct species have been described. den. Neither S. Palmetto nor S. Washingtonia fflifera, Wendl. (Bra- Blackburniana show this trait. The hea filamentosa Hort., Pritchardia fili- berries are as large as a grape and deep fera Wendl.), the California Weeping bluish-black. Palm. It has a cylindrical trunk, Sabal maiiritiaefortne, Griseb, and much enlarged at the base with a Wendl., Savana Palm, is common in crown of large fan-shaped leaves pro the West Indies, and is very likely vided with numerous threads or fila identical with Sabal Havanensis Lodd., ments. It is not rare in the foot-hills S. glaucescens Lodd., or these latter of Southern California bordering may be merely local forms of it. Ac the desert. Where it is found, the soil cording to Mr. E. N. Reasoner, it is is usually black and it always grows— the largest of all palmettos, having mostly in groups—where it can ob gigantic leaves 12 feet across. My tain a constant supply of water. Im specimens are all small, but they have the high pine lands of Florida this, the proved to be perfectly hardy. It most hardy species of the gemus,. can>- grows best in rich, moist soil, but can not be successfully grown, and the also be grown on higher and drier land lower leaves always get yellow. I have if kept moist and well fertilized. Palms a specimen twelve years old, growing give dignity and an indescribable near several Phoenix and Cocos spe grace and glory to every garden, and cies, but it is still dwarf, overtoweredi the Sabals can,be particularly recom by all the rest. There are, however;, mended to all lovers of the beautiful. magnificent, tall specimens in St. Au There are quite a number of dwarf gustine, on the place of the late Mr. EL stemless species, such as Sabal Adan- H. Hart and elsewhere, but they al soniij S. Mocini, S. longipeduacalata, ways grow in rather rich, black soil etc., which are only valuable for large which is always moist. collections, being far less ornamental Washingtonia robusta Wendl. In than many other small growing palms. aspect and growth this beautiful paltn All are perfectly hardy. Dr. Wm. is decidedly different from the former. Trelease, Director of the Missouri Bo It was first discovered near the coast tanical Garden, decribed a tall growing of Western Mexico in the vicinity of species new to science, from Mexico. Guayamas. In California it is much 168 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. grown and is the more satisfactory of here" (at Miami). This and the fol the two. Mr. Ernest Braunton, one of lowing species should be largely plant the leading authorities on California ed everywhere in the state. They look horticulture, says that it grows four very beautiful in groups of a few to times as fast as the former. "Grown even a dozen or more; they are fine as under identically the same conditions, single specimens on the lawn, and they this species, at twenty years of age, are exquisite as avenue trees. had made 40 feet of solid (matured) Washingtonia Sonorae, S. Watson. trunk, while the more common spe This fine palm is a comparatively re cies had made 10. The deeper and cent introduction from La Paz and San more constant green of W. robusta is Jose, Mexico, promising to rival in a strong point in its favor as a decora beauty with the former. It has been tive plant." It also differs from the much planted in Florida, seedlings former in its shorter leaf-stalks and having been distributed all over the more compact habit—the darker color state by Reasoner Bros., Oneco, Fla. in all its parts. The base and edge of This firm has also disseminated the gi the petiole are light brown in W. fili- gantic Sabal umbraculifera and S. mau- fera, but violet-black in W. robusta. ritiaeforme in large numbers over Flo The latter also has a much darker col rida, and we may be sure to see a won ored trunk, and the seeds are only half derful display of these large palms in as large as those of W. filifera. With our gardens in the near future. Of the the exception of Cocos plumosa, this Sonora Washingtonia I have only seen is the fastest grower of all garden small plants, but they all grow beau palms, and it has the great advantage tifully, particularly in rich, hammock of being hardy in all parts of Florida soil, and even in rich pine land. The where Sabal Palmetto is found wild. trunk is said to grow 20 feet high, the Though preferring moist, rich soil, it leaves being three to four feet in diam grows tolerably well on high pine land, eter. provided the soil is made very deep and rich and kept moist.. Mr. Theo. L. III. Mead has a wonderfully glorious speci men on his place "Wait-a-bit" at Lake Other Hardy Palms. Charm. It is so noble and distinct in There are quite a number of most aspect, so immense and majestic on the beautiful and elegant, hardy palms side of Sabal umbraculifera and Phoe which are only rarely seen in our gar nix Carnariensis that it arouses the en dens. The cause of this singular fact thusiasm of every passerby. This palm is difficult to understand. ,It is true must be about 40 feet high and has 1 they mostly like shade and rich, very broad, spreading crown. Mr. C. T. rich soil, but both can easily be pro Simpson, of little River, near Miami, vided by a true lover of these royal writes me that these Washingtonias plants. The palms in question belong "are going to be the avenue palms to the following genera: FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 169

Chamaerops. this is noticed with surprise even by Trachycarpus. people who do not care for plants that Livistonia. do not furnish a money crop. We see Rhapis. now, densely attached to the stem, Erythea. bright yellow sponge-like masses, Diplothemium. looking like a large fungus. I grow Jubaea. the following varieties: Though growing so easily the fact iChamaerops humilis elegans, tufted, tnust always be remembered that while the stems growing about five feet high. many palms will bear much neglect, Leaves very soft on long petioles yet the best results are only to be had which are, like all the varieties, pro by giving them plenty of nourishment vided with short spines. and good cultivation. If this is kept in Ch. h. argentea, with glaucous, mind and carried out, most members scurfy foliage, deep green above, sil of these genera will grow well here. very beneath. Chamaerops humilis, Linn., the Eur Ch. h. macrocarpa with black spines opean Fan Palm, is the only species of along the leaf-stems. the genus, but it is split up in quite a Ch. h. arborescens, growing much number of more or less distinct varie taller than the other kinds. ties. It grows wild in Sicily, Spain and C. h. tomentosa, covered with a . Northern Africa, where it is found in whitish powder. All these local forms dry, uncultivated, sandy tracts in the or garden varieties are very elegant, same way as our native Saw Palmetto. and should be largely planted. They This palm and its various forms are form fine groups by themselves or in very distinct and beautiful and are weU connection with other small palms. adapted to our soil and climate. They They do not always come true from all are excellent palms for all parts of seed. The best way is to propa Florida and along the Gulf Coast west gate them from suckers, which appear to Texas. They grow well and rapidly numerously around the base of the in good soil. I have a few specimens stem. All grow very well on high, that are pictures of beauty, but they dry pine land, in fact they do better were cared for, while others that re here than in moist black soil. mained in the nursery rows are small The genus Trachycarpus consists of and poor. All the varieties sucker very four species of hardy fan-leaved palms, much. These should be removed if i two of them being indigenous to the single-stemmed specimen is desired. If Himalayan region, and two are found, carefully taken off they can be use! respectively, in China and Japan. for propagation. Mr. Theo. L. Mead The last two have fine polished lias such a single-stemmed European trunks, while the Himalayan kinds Fan Palm with a beautiful round leaf- have their stems clothed with the crown about 15 feet in height. In Feb old leaf-sheath. I have never seen ruary, my plants begin to bloom, and the latter in cultivation in Florida, 170 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

while the Japanese and Chinese species my grounds there is also a fine young are only sparingly represented in our specimen with a trunk about three or gardens. They require more care and four feet high. This palm should be attention during the first years, being planted largely in all our gardens and easily lost if not attended to in a prop its hardiness, beauty and distinction er way. The soil should be very rich entitle it to a foremost place wherever and rather heavy, and a little shade is these noble plants are grown. necessary for young plants. Lack of Trachycarpus Khasiana, Wendl, Hi water for any length of time proves fa malayan Fan Palm. Major Madden tal to them. When once well estab found it at 6,500 to 7,800 feet altitude lished and in full flourishing condition, amidst rhododendrons, bamboos, an- they are all fine and elegant palms. dromedas, etc. "In damp, shady glens," Trachycarpus Fortuneij Wendl. For he writes, "on the north and southeast tune's Palm, is of unique interest as it but chiefly on the northwest exposure, is the hardiest of all palms, growing this palm is found in great numbers, well in many parts of England in the forming clumps and rows, the trees open air. Its growth is rather slow, rising from 30 to 50 feet high, each but eventually it attains a height of 30 with a superb crown of large flabelli- feet. This species should be planted form leaves, rattling loudly in the everywhere in Northern Florida, in breeze. At six feet from the ground Georgia, South Carolina and West to the stems are two feet in circumfer Texas. It would undoubtedly look ence, but become thicker above. The very well in groups and on the lawn. flowers appear in April and May, and Trachycarpus excelsa WendL, the the fruit, which is of a dark, glossy Chusan Palm. In California, where it blue, about half an inch long, ripens in is one of the most common garden October and, at the time of my visit, palms as far north as San Francisco, it (March 20, 1847) lay strewed in abun is called the Chinese Windmill Palm. dance at the foot of the trees/'* Though this species is said to have a Trachycarpus Martiana, WendL An smooth trunk, I have only seen speci other Fan Palrp of the Himalayas, said mens which had their stems clothed to be very similar to the former from with a network of fibers from the old a botanical point of view. In fact, the leaf-stalks. It is a very beautiful and two are united by recent botanists and distinct looking species, especially in the name "T. Martiana" is used for a large state. As it comes from South both. I am not aware that they are in. ern China it is perfectly hardy all over cnlthation in Florida. I had them the state, and there are a few speci both raised from seed which was sent mens found in several gardens. The * me from Darjeeling, but all the small finest Chusan Palm I saw in Florida is plants succumbed to the heat on my in the grounds of Mr. Wm. J. Ells dry pine land. Had they been planted worth at Jessamine, Fla., a plant of very striking beauty and elegance. In • "The Annals and Magazine of Natural His tory," No. 65, May, 1853, pages 346-355. FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 171 in sheds in moist cool soil they would crowns. The leaves are flat and per undoubtedly have made a good fectly fan-shaped, three to four and growth. Palm specialists should again even six feet in diameter and of a beau introduce these species. tiful light green color. The fans im Another genus of palms, far too rare ported in such large quantities from ly grown in our gardens, are the Livis- China are made of the leaves of this tonias. This group consists of about palm. In Orlando, where particularly fourteen well-marked species of stately the older and more enthusiastic set fan-leaved palms, but only three or tlers planted many exotic trees and four are now and then found in our shrubs, this palm is scarcely met with. gardens. There are magnificent speci There are, however, noble specimens mens in the late Mr. E. H. Hart's col in Mr. Hart's garden, at Federal Point, lection, even a few of the strictly trop and in the grounds of the large hotels ical species. Most people who only along the East Coast many good Chi look at these palms superficially find nese Fan Palms can be seen. I saw them too much like our common Cab ^recently a few fine young specimens bage Palmetto, and for this reason pass near the entrance of Tampa Bay Ho them by. But there is, however, a tel. They are about 15 feet high, very great difference, not only in aspect, In dense and perfect in form, bearing the foliage and flowers, but also in large bunches of nearly ripe fruit when the short, dense fruit-clusters. In or I saw them—February 27, 1909; These der to succeed with these palms, which home-grown fruits should be carefully are hardy in the orange belt, rich, gathered and planted, as they very like moist soil and—in their young state— ly will produce plants perfectly accli- shade are essential requisites. On limatized. This palm is a fast-grower high, dry pine land not under constant in rich, moist soil, but it needs shade, irrigation they are a failure. Large particularly in its younger state. and well developed specimens are very Livistonia australis, Mart. (Cory- beautiful and show a grandeur entirely pha australis, Hort), the Australian their own. Fan Palm, another exquisite and dis Livistonia Chinensis, R. Br. (Lan- tinct palm that should find a home in tania Borbonica, Hort.), of Southern our gardens. The leaf-crown is some China, is one of the most numerous and what denser and the color a deeper popular Fan Palms in cultivation, be green than in the former. It is perfect ing undoubtedly the best commercial ly hardy in Central Florida, being Fan Palm for pot culture. In all the found in Australia as far south as Mel large conservatories it is never absent. bourne. It grows best in rich ham In Horticultural Hall, Fairmount mock and low pine land, where it nev Park, Philadelphia, there are several er suffers from lack of water. My specimens 60 to 70 feet high—tall and specimens had attained the height of imposing palms with slender, smooth, six or seven feet and the diameter of gray trunks and magnificent leaf- the leaf-crown was 10 feet. A dense 172 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

and well-grown specimen is a very in my plant shed. They grew vigor charming and refined object. It is very ously in the rich, moist soil in half- seldom seen in our gardens and should sheds, came through a number of win be largely planted. Baron Ferdinand ters unharmed, but were finally de von Muller, the great Australian bot stroyed by the rise of the lake during anist, described a number of other Au my absence. Not the cold, but the stralian Fan Palms, which appear to water killed them. be closely allied to this species. All the members of the genus Rha- Livistonia Hoogendorpii, Hort., from pis are well adapted to our soil and Java, a very striking and grand palm climate, thriving admirably in rich, from Java, perfectly hardy at Federal moist land and shade. There are five Point. A large and broad specimen distinct species known to science all which stood the large freeze of 1895 al coming from Southern Japan and Chi most unharmed was the pride of Mr. na where they are grown since time Hart. It occasionally loses its leaves, immemorial as decorative plants. As but these are soon replaced by new they are small and of an elegance and ones. The leaves are four to six feet beauty distinctly their own, the Jap in diameter and their stems, being of a anese plant them largely around their very conspicuous reddish-brown color, homes in company with Cycas revo- are three to five feet long and armed luta, Camellia Japonica and bamboos. with stout spines. Shade and rich, They are among the few palms pro moist soil is the secret of the culture of ducing suckers at the base, thereby all Livistonias. forming very beautiful, large clumps Livistonia humilis R. Br.3 another often 50 to 60 stems being counted on Australian Fan Palm, said to be identi • one plant. No other palms are so well cal with Baron F. von Muller's L. Ma- adapted to ornamental plant-sheds as riae, has stems four to twelve feet tall the Rhapis species. My specimens are and large fan-shaped leaves about three growing together with ferns, fancy- feet in diameter. It grows abundantly leaved Caladiums, xanthosomas, colo- in North Australia and will undoubt casias, alocasias, marantas, calatheas edly prove hardy in the orange belt. and similar shade-loving plants, and, Livistonia rotundifolia, Mart. (Cham among them, they form pictures of aerops Biro, Sieb.), one of the most elegance and beauty. The leaves are popular pot palnis from Java, is not small, much divided and fan-shaped. quite as hardy as L. Hoogendorp II, All the species will be hardy anywhere but, if well protected when young, I in Florida in sheds. They must be believe it will be able to stand sharp handled with care as the leaf-stems freezes when it has attained a good are quite delicate and are easily brok size. There is no doubt that it will be en. Good plants, about two-and-one- one of the best garden palms for South half to three feet high with two or Florida. I had planted out all these three shoots, are usually sold at $5 species, and also L. olivaeformis, Mart. apiece, wholesale, while plants six feet FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 173 high and six feet in diameter can rare been able to obtain. It is said to be the ly be bought for less than $150 each. largest and most imposing of the genus, These beautiful palms are not easily growing 8 to 10 feet high, and some au obtainable, even in a small state, and thors say that it even attains a height of lovers of palms should be on the look 12 feet or more. There is a magnifi out for them. Thousands are annual cent clump of a Rhapis species in the ly imported from Japan, but the de grand collection of Horticultural Hall, mand is always larger than the sup Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, which I ply. Propagation is effected by sever have always thought to be this species. ing side-shoots from the mother plants It is at least 12 feet high and consists of and potting them separately. This is a dense mass of perfect stems. It stands a very slow process and it explains in the foreground and there are some why these charming dwarf palms are tall plume-leaved palms, araucarias and more expensive than most others. rubber trees in the background—a very Seeds are rarely produced and are rare impressive combination. There are only ly offered. a few gardens in Florida where these Rhapis flabelliforwiis, L'Herit., com fine, small palms are grown. They de mon Bamboo Palm, Ground Rattan serve a growing interest and many Cane, from China and Japan where it is friends. much grown. The most common spe Erythea, one of the Hesperides, Daugh cies of all the Bamboo Palms, growing ter of Evening, is the poetical name given in large, dense tufts 7 to 8 feet high in to a distinct genus of beautiful Western moist, rich soil and in shade. Large, American Fan Palms by Sereno Watson. well-grown specimens are marvels of They are spineless, of robust growth and beauty. Shade, very rich soil and mois would be perfectly hardy all over our ture are necessary for its well-being. It State if soil and climatic conditions will not grow in the sun or in dry, high would be to their taste. They like a soils, but it is a most beautiful plant for rather heavy soil and a long, dry season. shady nooks and corners near the house In Italy and the Riviera and in Califor where it can have plenty of room to de nia they belong to the grandest of all velop its charms. Full-grown stems are palms. Many years ago, I sent a large about as thick as a thumb and are cover number of seedlings to my place in ed with the old leaf-sheaths. Orange County. They were set out on Rhapis humilis, Blum, from China and high, dry pine land and all pined away. very likely also from Southern Japan, A few years later I sent a few larger where it is much grown on account of its ones, but they also succumbed to our delicate beauty and density of form. It hot dry soil. Mr. George Abbott has a is smaller in all its parts, rarely growing fine, healthy young specimen in his gar more than 3 or 4 feet high, but in gener den at Orlando, and I have been informed al aspect it is similar to the former. that there are a few others in various Rhapis Cochinchinensis, Mart., from parts of the State. These palms are so Cochin China. This species I have never charmingly beautiful and so distinct that 174 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

they, should be planted wherever palms looking island of Guadelupe, about 250 are admired. In moist, rich soil—per miles south of San Diego, California. It haps with a small admixture of clay— was discovered by Dr. E. Palmer, who they will undoubtedly thrive just as the found it "frequently in deep, warm rav Washingtonias, from the same region, ines * * * * It attains a height thrive with us. Only two species are of about 40 feet, and 15 inches in diame known. ter. Each tree bears one to four clus Erythea armata, S. Wats., Blue Palm, ters of fruit, 4 feet in length and weigh California Blue Palm, in Italy mostly ing 40 to 50 pounds. The fruit is eaten known under the name of Brahea Roezli, by men, goats, birds and mice. In flow is a native of Lower California, where er near end of March." it is called "Palma azul." It is one of A recent writer states that it is the the most glaucous palms known and de most elegant of all Fan Palms from serves its name, Blue Palm with perfect North America—a fast grower, quite right. In its distribution it is strictly suitable to conservatories and the open - limited to the peninsula of lower Cali air in the South, "where in a prominent fornia, making its first appearance about place it is likely to thrive, also in regard 40 miles south 6f our boundary line, and to its fruits, which are similar in size ranging south to almost St. Lucas, always and taste to prunes." A peculiar char in the dry, mostly hilly and stony inter acteristic of this palm is that the trunk ior, never near the coast. It is therefore is quite slender in comparison to its essentially a palm of dry regions, con height and often is slightly bent at the trary to E. edulis, which effects moist base, so that it has nothing of the heavy canons. Under cultivation, the Blue massiveness of the Washingtonias and Palms show a remarkable adaptability to Sabals. The leaves do not stand stiff and better conditions, not even disliking irri rigid, as in other species of the temper gated California gardens and parks, pro ate regions, but droop gracefully, owing vided the soil is well drained, and making to the length and flexibility of the petio a very fast growth when planted out. A les. What adds much to the elegance of specimen about 13 years old flowered for the plant is that the old leaves, when the first time in a Santa Barbara garden dead, do not remain to disfigure the up in. 1895. Jt sent out three flower-scapes per part of the trunk, but fall down by over 12 feet long, gracefully arching and themselves. The flower stalks reach of a feathery appearance, bearing myr fully 6 feet in length, and they must be iads of exceedingly minute flowers. In grand indeed, those huge bunches of California this magnificent palm is get fruit, quite black when ripe, weighing ting a feature of all the better gardens, 40 to 50 pounds. The fibrous expanse why not in Florida? With a little ex of the petioles, when the leaves die off, perimenting and coaxing it will undoubt falls down in a sort of .soft, thickly- edly thrive. woven mat—a splendid material for Erythea edulis, S. Wats., the Guade- packing plants,—and it may also be used lupe Palms, from the lonely and gloomy- for other purposes. It grows abundant- FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 175 ly on the north side of the little island consists of a number of short-stems where the climate is quite foggy and flowering and fruiting regularly. humid. This is very likely a good palm Diplothemtum littorale, Mart., is also for Florida. I have given as full an ac a species of the campos, like the former count as is possible here, in order to in and would very likely prove equally duce all plant lovers to try this fine palm. hardy. No time and money should be spared to Diplothemium maritumum, Mart, is a introduce it in large quantities. Its low-growing, fine, plume-leaved palm of beauty, distinctness and utility deserve the coast regions of Brazil, but I am not that every lover of the palms concen aware whether or not this has ever been trate his attention on this noble Erythea, introduced. which attains, when fully grown, about Diplothemium caudescens, Mart., Cer- 30 feet in height. oxylon), is the most striking of all the species of this genus, being a common TheDiplothemiums form a small genus plant of the burning coast regions of of about four dwarf palms, reminding Southern Brazil. The fruit hangs in somewhat of the species of the Cocos aus- yellow bunches just below the silvery tralis type. They are all inhabitants of undersurfaces of the leaves and the na Southern Brazil. Though of indescrib tives can easily refresh themselves with able elegance and easily accommodated, its sweet pulp, as the trunks never attain they are extremely rare in our gardens. any great height. There was a fine Mostly stemless or developing only short young specimen before the freeze in the ringed trunks, they can be easily protect garden now known as "Bishopstead" in ed in severe weather. They all revel in Orlando. When I saw it in November, sunshine, needing about the same treat 1894, it was a picture of health and beau ment as the hardy species of Cocos. The ty—in fact, I have scarcely ever seen a late Mr. Edmund H. Hart was very fond more impressive and elegant palm. The of these palms and had fine specimens of arching pinnate leaves were about 8 to 10 about three species in cultivation. Of feet long and 2 feet broad and looked the four known species, two inhabit the very massive and perfect. The upper- coast regions of Brazil, the other two, the side showed a most distinct, deep glossy dry campos. These latter thrive well on olive-green and the underside, a very con high pine land, while the former need spicuous silvery-white. The entire plant more water and richer soil. was about 10 to 12 feet high, but the Diplothemium campestre, Mart, is a trunk was only short and quite thick. common palm in the region of Blumenau, There were other palms in this fine gar South Brazil, and is the best known spe den, but in point of beauty this was sec cies of the genus in Florida. In Mr. ond to none. It was shaded by a large Hart's garden at Federal Point, there is specimen of Bambusa spinosa, and near a fine large specimen which has proved by was a large and dense specimen of entirely hardy and has never suffered Arabia papyrifera, the Japanese rice from cold. It is almost stemless and paper plant,, in full bloom. When I 176 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

again visited the spot, several years later, IV. all these plants were gone—whether de Tropical Palms. stroyed by the freeze or removed to other In this connection I cannot refrain quarters, I was unable to ascertain. To from quoting Charles Kingsley: "For it me, this palm looked as robust and hardy is a joy forever, a sight never to be for as Cocos Datil and C. australis. As all gotten, to have once seen palms breaking these palms will undoubtedly thrive in through, and, as it were, defying the the orange belt, their introduction should soft, rounded forms of the broad-leaved be the aim of all lovers of palms and . vegetation by the stern grace of their sub-tropical plants. They never grow simple lines; the immovable pillar-stems, tall and are, therefore, easily protected. looking the more immovable beneath the A situation in full sun is essential to all toss, and lash, and flicker of the long of them. leaves, as they awake out of their sun Jubaea spectabilis, Humboldt is the lit sleep, and rage impatiently for awhile most southern of all palms, being found before the gusts, and fall asleep again. in Chili in latitude 40 degrees. This is Like a Greek statute in a luxurious draw the Coquito, or Monkey Cocoanut of the ing room, sharp cut, cold, virginal, sham Chilians, and exceedingly massive and ing, by the grandeur of mere form, the beautiful species in its young state, and voluptuousness of mere color, however one of the greatest ornaments of the gar rich and harmonious; so stands the palm dens of California, Italy, Spain, Portugal in the forest—to be worshipped rather and the Riviera, where it grows to per than to be loved." All the large palms, fection. When grown to its full size even our native palmetto, show this gran- % it is, according to Darwin, who studied it deur. How I raved when I first saw the in the highlands of the Andes, an ugly beautiful groves of palmettos on the far- tree on acount of the very thick central famed St. John's—called by the Indians part of the trunk. This palm is easily more appropriately "Welaka"! How I raised from seeds. Years ago, I plant I longed to own such a grove or to plant ed out quite a number of small plants one with many different species when I with a lot of different species of Phoenix, meditated, in the cold winter days, of my Sabals and Cocos, but, while all the lat northern home! * And, since I have cast ter have assumed glorious proportions, my lot on this peninsula, I have been the Jubeas are still very small, though fully aware of the fact that it can be healthy. Those in full sun pined away, done that there are many of the most but others in rather shady positions un beautiful and noble palms at our disposal der trees have remained perfectly healthy. to form earthly paradises. But palms, The largest specimen is only 2y2 feet like princes, demand our attention and high. Perhaps, in richer and moister devotion, if they are expected to unfold soils and in somewhat shady places, this all their beauty, elegance, grandeur and palm, like the California Fan Palms, can nobility. Plant them in your gardens be naturalized. and parks; surround your homes, be with FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 177 them, care for them in a proper way, and This palm requires good, rich deep, ham they will be a continuous source of the mock soil or flat-woods soil, but it will purest pleasure this life is able to give. grow fairly well on high pine land if a They will be monuments to your memory rich compost and sufficient water is ap long after you have gone and long after plied. In Mr. Mead's garden this spe you have been forgotten. cies has endured a freeze of 18 degrees There are quite a number of tropical Fahrenheit, but it lost most of its fine, kinds that can be planted successfully plume-like leaves, and, in my garden it wherever the orange, pomelo and lemon has been subjected to almost the same cold grow. I have already alluded to several without suffering much damage. It is such species, like Cocos plumosa, C. nu- one of the most common palms of Para cifera and others. The genus Acromia guay, where tons of its seeds are used comprises a few such species which grow in the manufacture of an excellent oil, as far north as Winter Park and Lake and the meat of its nuts forms a favor Charm. They are all imposing and ele ite article of food among the Paraguay gant palms, and the stems, as well as the ans. Mr. Mead deserves the thanks of leaves, are provided with numerous all lovers of palms for the introduction y spines. All are common in the Amer of this fine species. Dr. Morong col ican tropics and one species occurs as lected the seeds near Asuncion, and I far South as Paraguay. This is Aero- think all our specimens were derived comia Total, Mart., a very fine and most from these seeds. I do not think that the elegant palm, being only sparingly found true A. Totai can be had in Florida to in a few of our best gardens. The first day, but seeds could easily and in large large specimens I saw in Mr. Theo. L. quantities be imported from Asuncion, Mead's garden, "Wait-a-bit," at Lake Paraguay. Charm. The tallest and grandest are un Acrocomia sclerocarpa, Mart., the doubtedly found in the grounds of the Groo-Groo Palm of the West Indies, is Royal Palm Nurseries at Oneco, Fla. much more tropical and, therefore, very They are not quite as tall, but fully as tender. Mr. Reasoner says that is is not beautiful.as the tall specimens of Cocos hardy at Oneco, but it will unquestion plumosa standing not far from them. ably thrive in extreme South Florida. They have much more massive stems, The same may be true of A. lasiospatha, however; the leaf-crown is denser and Mart., the great Macau Palm of Vene zuela, Colombia and Jamiaca. A. Mex- the leaves are shorter. I think Mr. icana, Karw., from the cooler regions of ReasoneYs plants are about sixteen years Mexico up to 3,000 feet, will likely prove old, having attained a height of about almost as hardy as A. Totai. It is a 25 feet. They have grayish trunks, cov prickly palm, reaching 20 feet in height, ered with long, blackish, blunt spines, growing in company of splendid Chae- and the leaf-stalks, as well as the small madora Palms in the shade of oak- leaflets, are covered on their underside forests. (This may be identical with with small, sharp, dark-brown thorns. Astrocaryum Mexicanum, which see).

12 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 178

Attalea. This genus of American stand-bys in his catalog, should also be palms comprises about twenty different experimented with more extensively. species, but only two can be mentioned If well protected with moss and pine- here, as they will very likely prove har boughs, particularly around the heart, dy when having attained a certain size. it will endure an ordinary freeze of a These are large-leaved palms of noble as few degrees unharmed. The stem pect when fully grown and very orna should also be banked with dry soil. mental when small. They are unarmed, Older plants will very likely prove with ringed stems and very long gigantic, much hardier than small ones. Every plume-like leaves, the segments of which effort should be made by our wide are regularly placed along the midrib and awake nursery men to introduce the at right angles with it. There is a mag unrivalled A. compta. nificent specimen of A. Cohune in Horti Astrocaryum is another genus of ex cultural Hall, Philadelphia, which not quisite American palms, with long yet has formed a trunk but with huge feathery leaves. They are all exceed leaves fully 30 feet long, all pointing up ingly spiny, the foliage even of young wards. The Attaleas require very rich plants being covered on both sides with and deep soil and a constant supply of sharp spines. When large, every por water and protection from frost, tion—the trunk, the leaves, the fruit- Attalea Cohune Mart. Cohune. This stalk and the flower-spathes—shows a is one of the most common as well as thick covering of formidable thorns. one of the most royal palms of the East But they all are extremely beautiful Coast of Central America. The large in spite of their repulsive armor. seeds supply an oil of great purity and Astrocaryum Mexicanum, Liebrn., is excellent flavor. Perhaps hardy from the only species that now and then can Palm Beach southward. be bought in this country; all the Attalea compta, Mart., Pindova Palm others have to be raised from seed, a very common species in Southern which I usually receive in a fresh state Brazil, particularly near Blumenau from Hoage & Schmidt, Erfurt, Ger where it is held in high esteem. It is many. In its young state this species a glory of the landscape and is called is quite tender, but when well estab the Queen of Palms by the German lished and in vigorous growth it can settlers. Growing in the same region stand a few degrees of frost under a as Cocos Blumenavia, C. Gaertneri, C. shed. My plant was raised from seed Yatay, Diplothemium campestre and which ripened in Horticultural Hall others, all perfectly hardy in our gar Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. It is a dens, it will undoubtedly prove a most dwarf palm from Mexico, the trunk valuable acquisition to the orange belr. never growing taller than four to six This beautiful palm should be intro feet. On account of its small size it duced and largely planted in properly is easily protected in a severe cold. I prepared soil in the full sun. A. Co hope that further experiments will hune, which is one of Mr. Reas'oner's show its adaptability to our soil and FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 178*

climate. It may also prove hardy in Howeas. This g^enus is represented dense hammock woods. in our gardens by two species, usually In extreme South Florida the beau known as Kentias, all from Lord tiful Muru-Muru Palm, Astrocaryum Howe's Island, namely Howea Balmo- munimuru, Mart., very likely will reana, Becc. and U. Forsteriana, Becc. prove hardy in rich, half-shady spots. These two species beyond doubt are Like the Mexican species, it is a mar the most popular and satisfactory vel of elegance, being of medium size— palms in the trade, being used largely its ultimate height being about 12 to for house-decoration in the north. Mr. 15 feet—and therefore easily protect J. D. Eisele, of the firm of H. A. Dreer, ed. The trunk is densely covered with told me that they sow annually 75 stout black spines about six inches bushels of seeds of these two species. long. The fruit ripens in large bunches They seem to do very well in South and the seed is enclosed in fleshy mass California near the coast in shady po which is edible. In the different spe sitions, but I have not been able to cies this fruit varies from the size of establish them in my garden. They a hickory nut to a hen's egg. I had a grew for a while in my plant-shed, few small plants, but they were killed came unharmed through the winter, outright in the big freeze of February, but were affected later with a-fungus 1895. disease, and were pining away slowly. .Acanthorhisa. Another genus of They are smooth-stemmed, pinnate American palms with fan-shaped palms of exceptional beauty* The leaves. Only A. aculeata, WendL can same applies to Hedyscepe Canter- be considered here. It is a native of buryana, WendL and Clinostigma, Mexico and is quite hardy under ordi Mooreanum, F. von Muller, coming nary circumstances and with slight from the same island. Mr. Theo. L. protection during the winter months. Mead tried to establish them in the It is easier lost during our dry sea shade of his hammock woods, ! but son than during the cold spells. The without success. most conspicuous point in the charac Ptychosperma. The palms of this ter of this palm is the spine-like air- genus were formerly known as Sea- roots which are developed around the forthias. They remind somewhat of base of the trunk and which grow in the Kentias or Howeas but are taller an upward direction along the stem. and more massive, and they do exceed Old trunks are entirely surrounded by ingly well in South Florida, at least the a network of these spines which are two species which are here only con of a blackish color. It will only grow sidered. Years ago they were culti in a moist soil, rich in leaf-mold, and vated to a greater extent than any in a rather shady position. This spe other palms, but they have been su cies is so interesting and unique in a perseded by the Howeas. They have collection that it should be introduced beautiful, smooth trunks and magnif wherever choice palms are grown. icent crowns of long, feathery leaves. . FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Tall growing and fast growing species, forms in the whole plant world. It they soon assume magnificent propor attains to a height of ioo feet "and is tions. No other palms are used so likely destined to grace many shady, much in pot and tub culture in Florida moist groves yet outside the tropics, as are the Seaforthia^, and they are en so long as they are free from frost, as tirely free of the fungus disease which this palm seems less tender than most makes the cultivation of the Howeas others." This is undoubtedly a gem well-nigh impossible in our state. They for such places as Palm Beach, Miami need rich, moist soil and shady posi and other places in extreme South tions. Florida. Ptychosperma Cunninghami, Wendl., Elaeis. This genus of tropical, the real Seaforthia elegans, the Austra feathery palms is entirely "thornless. It lian Feather Palm, is perhaps more consists of about six or seven species, grown for ornamental purposes in one from Western Africa, and the rest Florida than any other palm—mostly from tropical America. in tubs. It is a native of East Austra Elaeis Guimensis, Jacq., the Oil Palm lia, as far south as Illawarra, thus being of Western Africa, one of the most use one of the most Southern of all palms. ful of all plants, has been ascertained The beauty and grandeur of tall spe tox be hardy in South Florida, where it cimens is indescribable. The experi has withstood several degrees of cold ments with exotic palms are still in unharmed. It does not attain any their infancy in our state and, for this great height, not more than 20 or 30 reason, specimen plants of Seaforthia feet. The trunks are thick and are elegans are very rare in the open air covered with the remains of the stalks It is believed that it will not grow in of the dead leaves. Below the large Central Florida. There is a fine, tall tuft of prickly-stalked leaves are to be specimen at Bradentown, south of the seen the dense heads of vermilion or Manatee River. The Manatee at this yellowish fruits. The palm oil is ob . point is about a mile broad and affords tained from the outer fleshy coating— excellent water protection for a host of not from the kernels—of the fruit, by tropical plants. Mr. Reasoner has boiling in water and skimming off the hundreds of most beautiful plants of oil. It is of bright orange-red color, this species—all pot-grown—in his with the consistence of butter, and nursery at Oneco, many of them hav when quite fresh has a pleasant odor ing stems six to ten feet high. He in like violets. It is used in the man formed me that it is not quite hardy at ufacture of soap and candles and is Qneco, about six miles south of Bra- exported in immense quantities. The dentown. very elegant, rather upright or slightly Ptychosperma Alexandrae, Ferd. recurved, deep green leaves are 10 to von Muller, the Alexandra palm of 15 feet long. In all its stages the Oil Queensland, the tallest of the Austra Palm is one of the most ornamental lian palms, and one of the noblest and lovely. FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 181

Mr. Charles T. Simpson of Little wax. "This species/' says Dr. Mo- River, near Miami, writes me under rong, "is considered, with good reason, date of June 27, 1909, as follows: one of the most valuable trees in Para "Elaeis Guineensis, nine feet high and guay. Not only does it furnish strong, 12 feet across, is now in bloom, male durable timber and wax, but its ber^ flowers in one head, females in anoth ries are eaten by the Indians, the tern er, as large as a child's head It is said der vertex of the caudex makes an ad to bear lovely red fruits." mirable cabbage and its leaves are em This is very important news, show ployed for various purposes, such as ing that this exquisite palm is hardy thatching, making fans, strawbraicl, and can be grown in the southern part thread, fishing lines, cordage and the of our state.' Further investigation like." may prove that it can possibly be I am not aware that this species is grown much further north. in cultivation in Florida at present, and Copernicia. This is a small geniis of the only specimen I ever saw grew in fan-leaved palms allied to the Thrin- my own garden for about ten years* axes, all natives of Southern Brazil and It was an exceedingly slow grower on Paraguay. They need for their culture high pine land, but would undoubtedly a rich, moist soil in the full sun. have grown much faster in rich, moist Corpernicia cerifera, Mart., the Car- soil. To such a position I removed it anda of Brazil, and the Palma negra of in April—just at a time when the dry Paraguay, is a fine fan-palm, growing season held full sway—but I lost it. 30 to 45 feet high with a full crown of Dr. Morong describes two new and distinct leaves. This species, known entirely distinct species from the same also as the Wax Palm, is hardy in the region—Capernicia alba, Morong and Riviera and will undoubtedly prove a C. rubra, Morong. Both are beautiful valuable garden palm for the orange- and both will very likely da well in belt, if seeds are imported from its South Florida. The first one is a rath southernmost habitat, Paraguay. It er low palm, frequently not over id abounds there in great numbers along feet high and seldom reaching a height the banks of the Pilcomayo River, and of 30 feet. The crown is much larger throughout the Gran Chaco. When than in C. cerifera, containing many young the stem is covered below with more leaves. The wood is nearly the bases of the petioles, but these fall worthless. In C rubra the trunk is off at maturity, leaving the trunk bare clothed neatly to the top with the; old and smooth. Wood dense, hard and leaf-stalks, never smooth as in C. cer black, forming a valuable timber which ifera, and always much thicker. The is used all over Paraguay for rafters leaf-crown is large and round atjcl very and fence posts. The leaves are cov beautiful For ornamental purposes ered with a white waxy substance, v these two new species will be great ac which is scraped or shaken off, and quisitions to our gardens and should be made into the well-known carnawba- introduced. 182 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Thrinax. Allied to the former. All on dry coral ridges of South Florida. beautiful and exceedingly elegant Stem from 10 to 25 feet high. The American fan-leaved palms of rather crown consists of numerous yellowish- small size and slow growth, succeeding green, glossy leaves, glaucous on the finely in South Florida, particularly underside. One of the most beautiful along the East Coast from Palm Beach species of the genus, being also com southward. Of this genus about io mon in the West Indies. These are all species are known to science, six of hardy in South Florida and are them occuri'ng wild in Florida. easily grown. There are very fine Thrinax Floridana, Sargent, a slen West Indian species which will do der palm, becoming about 30 feet tall equally well where the others find and the, trunk about six inches in diam soil and climate congenial The fol eter. The leaves are beautiful yellow lowing are offered by Mr. E. N. Rea- ish-green and lustrous above, silvery- soner, of Oneco, Fla.: Thrinax Bar- white beneath. The flowers are pun badensis, Lodd. from Barbadoes, "one gent aromatic. It naturally grows on of the handsomest of all small fan the sandy shores and coral-ridges of palms. Each specimen carries a full South Florida and the Keys. head of fine leaves and is always a fine Thrinax microcarpa, Sargent, also in object." Never seems to grow tall. dry coral soil of the same region, has Thrinax excelsa, Lodd. from Jamaica leaves about three feet in diameter, and Thr. parviflora Swz., from the Ba pale green above and glaucous under hamas. Both are very elegant species, neath. It grows about 35 feet high. the last named attaining a height of 10 Also a very elegant palm. to 20 feet. Thrinax Morrisii WendL, Thrinax Keyensis,, Sargent. In its a native of Anguilla, is a dwarf, never native haunts, the Florida Keys, this over two and one-half feet tall in its fine species attains a height of about 30 native state. Very beautiful. Mr. C. feet, "raised on a base of matted roots T. Simpson, of Little River on Bis sometimes about one meter high.'" cayne Bay, has all these species in cul Leaves longer than broad, about three tivation and he writes that they are feet in diameter, glossy yellowish- doing finely. green above, and bluish-green and Oreodoxa. The Royal Palms. "The more or less covered with silvery- American Palms," writes Dr. Berthold white hairs beneath. Flowers faintly Seemann, alluding to the Oredoxas, aromatic. "may be said to have been anxious to Thrinax Garberi, Chapm. (Coccc- appear to the best advantage, when thrinax Garberi Sargent) common on they were about to form the ac dry coral .ridges along Biscayne Bay. quaintance of those who^were about Almost stemless, with yellowish-green to seek a new world in the west.. They leaves, silvery underneath. placed on the very threshold of their Thrinax argentea Chapm. (Cocothri native country several representatives, nax jucunda, Sargent). Also occurring which, in elegance and majesty of form FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 183 Gorda and Bradentown, and it inyar- are equalled by few and surpassed by tcarcely any of the whole order of iably forms imposing specimens in a few years if planted on hammock and palms Even ere the anxious voyager Tas set his foot on shore, he has al- low land It willnot grow onJngh readv perceived their graceful foliage dry pine land. Mr E. N. Keasoner flutteXTnthe breeze, and waving, says "that it has immense plumy as" were a hearty welcome to the feathery leaves and a straight white newly arming steamer. Since the time trunk." "It is a good tree/ he con- Ten Columbus first discovered the tinues, "for extreme South Florida fo avenue planting, and is valuable: in al West Indian Isles to the present day, these palms have been seen and ad- sizes, but especially-when four feet or mired V all who possess an eye fo, S^^Jhj late Mr. P. W.

des a place which was known as Palma Oreodoxa regia, Kunth, the true Sola, where two very tall and noble Roya Palm, the Palma real of Cub,, "regarded the most beautiful, most specimens grew which could^be seen far out rn the gulf One wmtei a few imposing and noblest of all palms for "namental planting in the tropics. The vandals cut down these trees wantonlj, which had been landmarks for entu grand avenue of these palms at Boto- nes-the most northern of its habitat. o the Botanical garden near Rib de

these islands' It is likewise largely think that it will be entirely hardy so ar north. It can however stand.* planted at Paradenyia, Ceylon, and at few degrees of cold unharmed suffer- Buitenzorg, Java-two of the world's most famous botanical gardens. The ing less than the Cocoanut Palm I » entirely smooth all over, being not Royal Palm is a native of Florida, be- provided with spines or thorns as man> ing found quite abundantly in the Ever- glides, where it forms trunks 50 to 60 other palms. It also occurs abundant- Iy in Cuba, Antigua, etc. feet high, bearing magnificent crowns of very long feathery leaves. It is Oredoxa oleracea Mart., the Royal found sparingly along the lower Kis- Cabbage Palm, the Palmiste of Ja- simmee and on the Caloosahatchee, and maica, is one of the most common is said to have grown as far north as palms of the West Indies with trunks the Manatee River. In fact the Royal 100 to 120 feet high. Palm Nurseries at Oneco were namerl Oredoxa Borinquena, the Porto Rico by the lamented Mr. P. W. Reasoner Royal Palm, differs from the Florida after these magnificent and beautiful species in being still more vigorous and palms It is much planted around more stocky. Mr. C. T. Simpson in- Biscayne Bay, at Fort Myers, Punta forms me that all these species do well FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

on Biscayne Bay, requiring hammock of this species, as well as of many other and lowland soil. tropical palms, can be easily obtained Pritchardia. Most beautiful, medi from Trinidad. Mr. Eugene Andre, um-sized fan-leaved palms from the the celebrated naturalist and explor islands of the South Pacific. They are er, grows quite a number of the grand very tender and will not be hardy north est tropical palms in his garden near of the most southernmost point of Port of Spain. From him I received a Florida. Mr. Chas. T. Simpson writes few years ago, a number of seeds which me that he has lost his small specimens all sprouted. The young seedlings so often that he is not much encour have endured the cold of the two last aged. Perhaps they will endure such a winters without harm, and are now freeze as may occur on Biscayne Bay growing finely. They were protected without much harm, when they are during cold weather with pine boughs. larger. As far as I know, only the fol This seems to indicate that this spe lowing three species have been or are cies and L. peltata, Roxb.. of India may still in cultivation in South Florida: grow out of doors in extreme South Pritchardia Paciiica, Seem, and Florida. They evidently are small or Wendl., from Samoa and Fiji. Trunk medium-sized palms and the leaves are grows about 30 feet high. Pritchardia rather delicate and are easily injured. . Gaudichaudii, Wendh and P. Martii, Brahea. Allied to the two former both from the Hawaiian Islands, are genera, but with much more rigid, fan- rather small species, the first reaching leaves and short, "massive trunks. Bra ultimately a height of 20 feet, the sec hea dulcis, Mart., Palma dulce of Mex ond having a trunk not exceeding five ico, where it ascends mountains up ?o to six feet; all are exceedingly elegant 4,500 feet, is perfectly hardy in the and are well worth a little extra care orange-belt of Flarida, and a very noble to protect them from cold when neces and distinct species. The stem in full- sary. They need rich, moist soil and grown specimens is about 10 to 20 feet some shade. The fierce rays of the high, and the leaves are from 4 to 5 feet sun are as obectionable to them as a long. It demands a rich soil, mixed Cold spell. with some clay. I had a fine specimen Licuala. An allied genus of most ex about 5 or 6 feet high which grew in full quisite fan-leaved palms from the sun in a rather dry place. It withstood the tropical islands of the Pacific, requiring severe cold of 1899, 'but was destroyed the same care as the Pritchardias. by a forest fire. I have not been able si ace Licuala grandis, WendL, from New to replace it or to obtain any other of the Britain, is one of the most .beautiful three remaining species. In its growth -pa'lins in the world and without doubt and entire aspect the Brahea I grew re the most royal of all fan-leaved spe minded me very much of Erythea ar- cies. It is not so long ago that a mata. well developed speeiman was sold in Bactris. Ver/'thorny American palms Ettgl&nd for $1,000; At present, seeds —in fact, covered with such an armor FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 185 of spines that we have to handle them they are in request f,or all festive occa with care in order to avoid the serious sions and are also considered a necessary injury that may be inflicted by them. ingredient in the medicines and charms Often they grow in tufts or big clumps, employed in the healing of the sick; their making it impossible to penetrate the delightful perfume, together with a forest. The genus consists of about a graceful, feathery foliage, borne on a hundred species. Though many of them slender and elegantly tapered stem, ren are ornamental and would form inter ders this tree the universal favorite among esting objects in our sub-tropical gar the palm tribe/' (Hugh Low, "Sar dens, they are little grown on account of awak"). their spines. They all have plume-like The fruit is about the size of a small leaves. Many of the species are coarse hen's egg, of an orange color, and hangs in appearance and not worth growing, in large bunches below the dark green others are extremely beautiful. They are leaves. The outer part of the fruit is found in all kinds of situations, wet and hard and fibrous, then comes the shell, dry. Most of the species have their enclosing the kernel of the betel-nut. It whip-like stems, as well as the leaves is for this that the palm is so extensively and flower-spathes, covered with spines. cultivated in the Malay Archipelago, and They are the terror of the naturalist the practice of chewing it is universal who has to enter the undergrowth of amongst the natives. The nut is cut in the forest. I have only grown Bactris Binoti, from South Brazil, and B. bacn- to narrow strips and rolled up with a lit tle lime in the leaves of the betel pepper. lifera, both seemingly horticultural names The pellet, though acid to the taste, is without botanical foundation. The most aromatic and astringent and the mastica common species is B. horrida, Oerst, tion is considered wholesome. The na from Nicaragua, a rather beautiful, tives would rather forego meat and drink small palm, growing in tufts about 6 to 8 than their favorite Areca-nut. The feet high. They have extremely spiny commerce in the nut is enormous. leaves, leaf-stalks, trunks and flower- spathes, and would make impenetrable I can only say that this glorious and live fences if it would prove hardy. celebrated palm may do well in extreme I will close this chapter with one of South Florida where the Royal Palm the most beautiful and noble of palms, flourishes. I do not know whether or Areca Catechu Linn,, the Areca or Betei- not an attempt has ever been made to nut Palm, which has a lofty, straight and introduce it to Florida, but is should be very slender stem. For this reason the done. If it will succeed, it is an acquisi Hindoo poets speak of it as "an arrow tion of the greatest value, on account of shot from Heaven." its nobility and its extremely fragrant "The flowers are deliciously fragrant ; flowers. 186 FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

By Henry S. Pennock.

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen: very nice lawn tree. Some consider the royal poinciana the handsomest tree Most of the ornamentals used about that grows, it certainly is fine when it is Palm Beach are more or less of a trop in bloom with its bunches of scarlet ical nature and so they suffer more or flowers. less when we have a freeze. The cocoa- Of the bushes the oleander and hibis nut palm which is used a great deal for cus are seen the most, they are both such avenue work and-is a magnificent thing fine bloomers, the hibiscus is especially for such, suffers badly and so some so, blooming all year. The oleander is people are planting the date palm in its used a gpod deal for windbreaks, it grow stead, the particular variety being the ing fifteen feet or more high. The phy- canariensis. And another thing in favor lanthus or snow bush is the prettiest of the date palm is, it is a slower grower shrub that we have and it is used a great and so does not have the long spindly deal for walk borders, its red and white trunk the cocoanut would have in fifteen variegated and green and white leaves or twenty years. The royal palm is used make a very dainty, delicate effect. The for single specimens and among the red variegated acalypha is liked very well smaller the sago palm holds first place too, it grows higher getting six and eight and I do not think there is anything feet high. Crape myrtle, bamboos, dwarf finer than a large, handsome one placed hydrangea, cattley guava, sisil, panda- by itself on a well kept lawn. The nus utilis and veitchii, auricaria and ca- borbonica is used somewhat. rissa arduina are used singly and in Among the trees that are used are the groups. We have a few plants of the Australian pines and oaks, the latter carissa arduina and we like it very well were planted along most of the streets for a hedge plant, it grows well in poor of West Palm Beach a few years ago, dry sand and its glossy green leaves look they are doing quite well. I am trying well all the year, at this time of ths a few trees of the California beefwood, year it bears a star shaped white flower. in the description I read of them it said I think if it was planted close enough it they would make a good growth in the would turn cattle as it is quite thorny. poorest kind of soil, I thought they ought There is nothing that quite equals the to suit me pretty well and also they would bougainvilla among the climbers, with its grow where the salt spray was blown on masses of purple flowers it makes a mag them. I got them last summer and so nificent sight. I was told by a gentleman far they are doing all right. The two va living in Eau Gallie that he had one out rieties I have are Casuarina Stricta and side and that it was doing very well,, C. Equisetifolia. The sapodilla, rose everybody should have one. A bougain apple, rubber tree, banyan, mango, avoca^ villa on one side of a pergola or an do, umbrella tree and royal poinciana arbor with an allamanda on the other are all used singly and they all make a makes an effect that is hard to excel,. FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 187 the yellow flowers of the alamanda and how many of them are a pleasure to look the purple of the bougainvilla go so well at, and yet why not ? Let us figure a lit together. The rosa de Montana makes a tle on how much more it would cost to very pretty thing with its pink flowers make the packing-house look good instead most all the year. The clerodendron of looking bum. The roof and floor balfouri, I don't know any other name would be about the same in any case, so for it, is another very nice vine, it is a what we have to consider are the sides strong grower and has red and white and ends. The cheapest way of making flowers. the sides, by using upright boards with Of the bedding plants the crotons are or without battens would cost three to the most important, and what a hand four dollars per square, next, using sid some bed you can make with them, there ing would make it four to five dollars per is such a great variety of shapes and col square and if it is to last more than ten ors. A bed of crotons not planted too or twelve years it will have to be paint close together with some thing green be ed every three years which will be a dol tween, something that does not grow too lar and a half per square more each time. high, like sprengerii or the Boston ferns Now if shingles are used, number threes makes a very pretty bed and one that will last about fifty years on the side of will almost take care of itself. The the building, the cost would be with a sprengerii and ferns are used a great little extras, like better fixed windows, deal for house plants, for jardinieres, about six to seven dollars per square or there is nothing better though for this the difference between a bum looking purpose than the pandanus veitchii with packing-house and a good looking pack its long striped green and white leaves. inghouse would be about three dollars I have heard it stated that a pandanus and a half per square; in a house 25x50 will stand more tough treatment than a where there are about thirteen squares the mule. The New Zealand wax, wander total difference would be fifty dollars. ing jew, poinsettia, dwarf hydrangea But if you want to really make it in keep and crinum are some more very nice ing with the orange grove make it of ce smalV plants. Prof. Rolfs told me he ment, this would cost from about fifteen had seen the crinum as far north as Mel to twenty dollars per square. bourne on the East Coast. It certainly Prof. Rolfs—We have to be chary is a thing everyone should have, it is a about planting the sago palm because it bulbous plant and is not particular as is quite susceptible to a certain fungus to soil, it is fine when in flower, the flow which attacks it and causes what is ers are large and white of an umbel for known as "sun scald" to the leaves. This mation and the leaves are long and green has 'happened quite frequently and you usually drooping to the ground. must go very slow unless you have close I want to say a few words about some and compact soil in which to plant the thing that can hardly be called an orna sago palm. Of course, we all know it mental and that is the Florida packing is not really a sago palm, as it belongs house. I have often wondered of the to an entirely different family. For this hundreds of packing-houses in Florida fungus disease there is no remedy.